DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF LEAD ON HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTIVE EFFECT BY NATURAL POLYPHENOLS: A REVIEW

Abstract

Lead is having wide application in day to day life such as building materials, ceramics, glass, water pipes, paints, protective coatings, acid storage batteries, gasoline additives, solder, ammunition, jewelry, toys, cosmetics and traditional medicines. Different edibles like medicinal plants, vegetables, fruits, fodder plants, grains, and sea fish are also commonly intoxicated by lead. Direct or edible exposure of lead is the very common cause of lead toxicity. Chronic toxicity associated with lead is more hazardous compared to acute toxicity. Young children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead and can suffer from permanent adverse health effects, particularly affecting the brain and nervous system development. Lead causes long- term toxicity in adults, including increased risk of hypertension and kidney damage. Exposure to high lead in pregnant women levels can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight and minor malformations. Lead is responsible for generation of free radicals which induces a broad range of physiological, biochemical and behavioral dysfunctions. Lead exposure is having detrimental effects on almost all the major organ system which is a major contributory factor for incremental mortality and morbidity. Beneficial effects of polyphenol in lead induced toxicity have been noticed. The probable reason by which it may show the protection is scavenging of reactive oxygen species, generated by lead. Moreover, it is reported that they are also responsible for detoxification by removal of accumulated heavy metals from major organs.