Unveiling the Endocrine-Disrupting Potential of Plant-Derived Compounds: An Ecotoxicological Review

Area of Science:

• Environmental Toxicology
• Endocrinology
• Phytochemistry

Background:

• Plant-derived metabolites (flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids) are widely used for their bioactivity.
• Their role as endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in environmental organisms is understudied.
• Existing research focuses on pharmacological and agricultural uses, not ecological impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review endocrine-disrupting effects of plant metabolites in environmental models.
• To compare mammalian vs. environmental testing approaches for EDCs.
• To identify data gaps in assessing ecological hazards of plant-derived EDCs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of endocrine disruption testing guidelines and conceptual models.
• Analysis of studies on plant metabolites affecting estrogen and thyroid pathways.
• Integration of evidence across diverse biological systems.

Main Results:

• Plant metabolites can interfere with hormonal regulation and reproduction in environmental species.
• Significant data gaps exist in comparing mammalian and environmental testing systems for EDCs.
• Mechanisms involve disruption of estrogen and thyroid pathways.

Conclusions:

• Plant-derived metabolites are emerging as potential EDCs in ecosystems.
• An extensive assessment is required to understand their ecological hazards.
• Bridging toxicological and ecological perspectives is crucial.