biomarkers
Biomarkers are measurable biological indicators — such as specific molecules, gene expression patterns, or physiological signals — that reflect a plant's internal state or response to its environment. In plant science, biomarkers are valuable tools for detecting stress, disease, developmental changes, or exposure to pollutants before visible symptoms appear. They enable researchers to monitor plant health, assess crop performance, and develop early-warning diagnostics for more resilient agricultural systems.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-04-02
Herbicides don't just kill weeds — they hit biological targets that humans and plants share. This review identifies specific enzymes disrupted by herbicide exposure in humans and links them to immune dysfunction and gut microbiome damage, proposing these enzymes as early warning biomarkers for herbicide-related disease.
Four key enzymes — HPPD, ACC, GS, and PPO — are confirmed molecular targets of herbicides in both plants and humans, making them candidate biomarkers for early detection of herbicide-induced harm.
Several of these shared enzymes play active roles in regulating the immune response, meaning herbicide exposure may disrupt immune function through direct enzyme inhibition.
Herbicide target enzymes are also present in gut microbiota bacteria and fungi, providing a plausible mechanistic link between herbicide exposure and intestinal dysbiosis, which is increasingly associated with chronic diseases.