Advances in the neurotoxicity of ecological pesticide maneb: mechanisms and implications for human health

Maneb, a typical dithiocarbamate pesticide, is widely used in the control of agricultural fungi in lands. Its residues with main metabolites in environmental media pose risks to environmental safety and human health. This research summarized the research progress on the environmental residues, human exposure levels, neurotoxic effects and mechanisms of maneb. Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to maneb is associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). In vitro and in vivo experiments have further demonstrated that exposure to maneb induces neurotoxic effects in cells and animals, involving multiple injury pathways and molecular mechanisms, including reduced cell viability, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, synaptic dysfunction, and induction of apoptosis, ultimately leading to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Future research can focus on the systemic comprehensive toxicity and interaction mechanisms of maneb to promote its safe application in agricultural production.