Protective effects of dietary flavonoids against pesticide-induced toxicity: A review

Background: Pesticide exposure is closely associated with the incidence of various severe diseases in humans, including immune dysfunctions, respiratory problems and neurobehavioral disorders. Although several drugs are utilized for the treatment of pesticide intoxication in patients, the side effects have limited their use. It has been demonstrated that generation of oxidative stress is a main mechanism involved in pesticide-induced toxicity. Naturally, there is an increasing interest in screening safe antioxidants and evaluating their potentials of reducing oxidative stress induced by pesticides. Flavonoids are members of the polyphenol family and possess strong antioxidant properties. Based on the results of previous studies, a series of dietary flavonoids exhibit protective effects against pesticide-induced toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. Scope and approach: This paper mainly focused on the preventive roles of quercetin, naringin, naringenin, (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, hesperidin, rutin, apigenin, luteolin and taxifolin against pesticide-induced toxicity in cell and animal models. The possible mechanisms for the protection of these flavonoids from pesticide-induced toxicity were critically reviewed as well. Key findings and conclusions: Dietary flavonoids could protect cells and animals from pesticide toxicity through their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-mutagenic, anti-stress properties, effects on improving organ functions, activating the immune system, promoting the xenobiotic excretion from the body, modulating the levels of neurotransmitters and hormones as well as regulating lipid and energy metabolisms. In addition, we introduced the issues that need to be resolved in future investigations and pointed out current challenges of developing flavonoids into therapeutic agents for pesticide intoxication.

Automated summary

This paper focused on the preventive roles of various flavonoids against pesticide-induced toxicity and their possible protective mechanisms. The study found that these flavonoids can protect cells and animals from pesticide toxicity through multiple pathways.