Phytochemicals for Ameliorating Aluminum Toxicity: Dissecting the Mechanisms for Therapeutic Potential

Although aluminum is the third common metal of the earth, it is physiologically nonessential and its higher levels on regular exposure can be harmful to the human body, affecting several vital organ systems. Environmental aluminum contamination and toxicity are therefore regarded as a "silent killer" as it is associated with the precipitation of several serious health complications chiefly involving the nervous, blood, and musculoskeletal systems. Various natural products obtained from medicinal plants; that is, phytochemicals have been reported to possess aluminum toxicity ameliorative potential. Still now, there is no comprehensive review in this regard. A compilation of research has been published over the past 21 years on the protective properties of plant-derived phytochemicals against the toxicity of aluminum. Reportedly, 45 phytochemicals of diverse chemical classes mitigate the toxicity of experimental aluminum in animals/cells/tissues, leading to marked reduction of aluminum-induced pathophysiological complications, by multiple mechanisms; the prime typical modes, among others, are modulation of oxidative stress-inflammatory pathways and anti-cholinesterase activity. These recent advances may help to develop a potential nutraceutical or phytomedicinal candidate against aluminum toxicity and neurodegenerative diseases for humans.