plant-extracts
Plant extracts are concentrated preparations derived from plant material through solvents such as ethanol, water, or oil, isolating bioactive compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, and essential oils. These extracts are central to plant science research for characterizing a species' phytochemical profile and understanding the biological roles of secondary metabolites. They also serve as the foundation for studying plants' medicinal, antimicrobial, and ecological properties, bridging fundamental plant biology with applied botanical research.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-04-01
A common mold toxin found in wheat, corn, and other grains can damage the liver, gut, and immune system. This review identifies a key cellular protein (Nrf2) as the central switch that determines whether cells survive or are harmed by this toxin — and catalogs natural compounds that can flip that switch protectively.
Nrf2 activation follows a 'threshold effect': moderate oxidative stress from DON triggers protective cellular responses, while excessive stress suppresses Nrf2 and accelerates cell damage.
Plant extracts, amino acids, selenium, and microbial preparations were identified as Nrf2-targeting agents capable of reducing DON-induced organ toxicity.
Nrf2 modulation can simultaneously suppress oxidative damage, inflammation, ferroptosis (an iron-driven cell death), apoptosis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress caused by DON exposure.