The impact of secondary metabolites on human health is twofold. On one hand, they are exploited for their pharmacological benefits. Many secondary metabolites have been developed into pharmaceuticals due to their therapeutic properties. For example, morphine (an alkaloid) is used for pain relief, and taxol (a diterpenoid) is used in cancer treatment. On the other hand, certain secondary metabolites can be toxic compounds that pose risks to human health. For instance, aflatoxins, produced by certain fungi, are potent carcinogens. The presence of such toxic secondary metabolites in food and the environment is a significant concern in toxicology.
