Plant-Derived Toxins: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Their Pharmacological and Toxicological Implications

Abstract

Naturally occurring toxins are chemical substances synthesized by living organisms. While these compounds generally do not harm the host that produces them, they can be toxic to other organisms and serve as a protective strategy against environmental pressures. In plants, such compounds function as defense mechanisms against insects, herbivores, and microbial invasion, while also helping the plant adapt to stresses such as salinity, drought, or heavy metal exposure. Some of these substances, though harmless to aquatic species like fish and shellfish, may be highly toxic to humans. Examples of naturally occurring toxins include aquatic biotoxins, cyanogenic glycosides, furocoumarins, lectins, mycotoxins, solanine and chaconine, poisonous mushroom toxins, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. While certain compounds hold therapeutic potential and are even used in drug development, they may also disrupt pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and, in some cases, cause serious toxicity or disease in humans. The purpose of this review is to outline the nature of these naturally derived toxic compounds and to assess their potential impact on human health.

Keywords: Natural Toxin, Microorganisms, Food contaminate, Biotoxic, Micotoxin