Advances on Lead Antagonist

Lead is one significant toxic heavy metal pollutant, which can damage cardiovascular system, nervous system, urinary system, reproductive system, immune system, and so on. The studied mechanisms of lead damage include affecting Ca²⁺ ion channels to cause apoptosis, oxidative damage, etc. Screening for damage mechanism-based antagonist of lead is a current research hot spot. This paper summarized relevant reports of lead antagonists and found that only a small part of natural compounds can directly promote lead removing, while most natural compounds antagonize through maintaining oxidation/antioxidation balance and anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, antagonist for lead and other heavy metals with similar characteristics can be identified from natural compounds with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects.