Phytonutrients: adverse drug reactions

Phytochemicals in edible plants may exert malicious impact on human health that may be outweighed by their consumption. The use of the plant as a traditional remedy is a pivotal part of human society since the ancient times. The use of herbal medicine is growing in modern society also. As plants are enriched with primary and secondary metabolites that are responsible for their health benefits and detrimental effects on consumers, the history of plant traditional use is as old as human civilization. The multiple environmental factors such as pollution, insecticides, climate, or growth conditions are decisive factors regarding corrosive actions of plants. Phytonutrients, alone or in combination, help to promote health benefits and provide protection against various diseases, but their use within a limited range is preferable otherwise lead to various adverse/toxic effects on consumer's health. A variety of phytonutrients belonging to different secondary metabolites classes such as caffein, chlorogenic, caffeic, p-hydroxybenzoic, cinnamic acids, beta carotene, genistein, quercetin, chrysin, naringenin, epicatechin, and catechin monomers, etc., are responsible for various adverse/toxic effects on human's health. There is a great urge to establish the safety and efficacy profile of phytonutrients to limit their unpropitious effects and to enhance their safe use. Intense efforts are needed to regulate environmental and growth conditions for plants to pave way for their safe use.