METRIBUZIN-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS, ENDOCRINE DISRUPTION, AND CANCER: ADVANCES IN COMPUTATIONAL TOXICOLOGY
Keywords:
Metribuzin, Oxidative Stress, Endocrine System Alteration, Cancer, Computational ApproachesAbstract
Metribuzin is classified as a systemic herbicide, belonging to the triazinone chemical group. Its effectiveness stems from its ability to disrupt photosynthesis of plants. It is widely used in agriculture to manage the growth and spread of broad-leaved weeds and grasses. Pesticides are known to induce oxidative stress by generating free radicals and altering the body's antioxidant or oxygen-free radical scavenging enzyme systems. Different types of pesticides share a common ability to cause oxidative stress in various cell types and animal models.The toxic effects of Metribuzin have shown increased oxidative stress and alterations in antioxidant levels in both laboratory settings and living organisms. In the other hand, Pesticides are known to function as endocrine disrupting chemicals interfering with the regular operation of natural hormones. The origin of endocrine disorders can be traced to the hormone-mimicking effects of pesticides at low doses, which lead to changes in the production and breakdown of the body's innate hormones. Exposure to pesticides may increase cancer risk including prostate, lung, ovarian, rectal, testicular, skin, and breast cancers.The toxicity of Metribuzin varies, but it can cause acute poisoning, which is characterized by disruptions in the balance between oxidants and antioxidants, hormonal imbalances, and potential carcinogenic effects.Computational approaches such as molecular modeling, QSAR, and bioinformatics provide cost-effective insights into metribuzin’s mechanisms of toxicity, health risks, and risk assessment.
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