Genistein alleviates lead-induced neurotoxicity in vitro and in vivo: Involvement of multiple signaling pathways.

•Genistein alleviates lead-induced decline in the spatial reference memory.•Genistein mitigates lead-induced neural injuries by inhibiting apoptosis action.•Genistein mitigates lead-induced oxidative stress by regulating Nrf2 protein.•Genistein mediates its protective effects by phosphorylation of Akt and MAPKs.•Genistein regulates lead-induced ROS generation via PKC-α and NF-κB.