Recent Advances in Medicinal Plant Research for Mitigating Aluminium Toxicity

Aluminium is the third common metal of the earth, yet, it is physiologically non-essential and its higher levels on regular exposure can be harmful to the human body, affecting many vital organ systems. Environmental aluminium contamination and toxicity thereof is regarded as a 'silent killer' to the mankind as it is associated with the precipitation of several serious health complications chiefly involving nervous, blood and musculoskeletal systems. Various medicinal plants have been reported to possess aluminium toxicity ameliorative effects. A compilation of research published over the past 21 years on the protective properties of medicinal plants against the toxicity of aluminium is made. Thirty-four such plants reportedly have the ability to mitigate the toxicity of experimental aluminium in animals/cells/tissues leading to marked improvement of aluminium-induced pathophysiological complications, by multiple mechanisms; the prime typical modes inter alia are modulation of oxidative stress-inflammatory pathways and anti-cholinesterase activity. Thus, recent advances in this field of study may help to develop a potential nutraceutical or phytotherapeutic candidate against aluminium toxicity and neurodegenerative diseases for humans.