From Toxicity to Therapy: Probiotics and Novel Adsorbents in Aflatoxin Detoxification

Aflatoxins (AFs), toxic secondary metabolites primarily produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, remain a serious global health challenge due to both acute and particularly chronic toxicity. Unlike acute toxicity, chronic low-dose exposure to AFs is insidious and cumulative, leading to long-term effects such as immune dysfunction, growth retardation, and carcinogenesis. These outcomes are often underestimated, underscoring the importance of preventive strategies over therapeutic interventions. Although pharmacological agents have been investigated to inhibit CYP450-mediated bioactivation or enhance detoxification, their efficacy remains limited, particularly in reversing established damage. To address these limitations, recent efforts have shifted toward mechanism-based protective strategies, including interventions that block aflatoxin B1 (AFB₁) activation, enhance detoxification, and restore host defense. Recent evidence indicates that phytochemicals and probiotics exert promising multimodal activities, including attenuation of oxidative stress, inhibition of DNA adduct formation, and restoration of gut-microbiota-immune balance. For example, carnosic acid has a good free radical scavenging capacity, kolaviron could suppress abnormal DNA synthesis, and Bifidobacterium breve BAA-2849 may mitigate AFB₁-induced injury partly through gut microbiota remodeling and barrier protection. Furthermore, novel materials capable of adsorbing AFs can mitigate intoxication by reducing AFs levels. In this review, we critically synthesize advances in AFs toxicology and detoxification strategies, with particular emphasis on underlying mechanisms. We highlight probiotics and novel materials that detoxify or reduce AFs, proposing them as promising candidates for future research aimed at propelling therapeutic strategies. By identifying research gaps and outlining translational prospects, this review seeks to guide the development of effective and clinically applicable pharmacological strategies to mitigate AFs-associated health risks.