Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Potential of One Hundred Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Reactive species are produced in biological system because of redox reactions. The imbalance in pro-oxidant and antioxidant homeostasis leads to the production of toxic reactive oxygen and nitrogen species like hydrogen peroxide, organic peroxides, hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anion and nitric oxide. Inactivation of metabolic enzymes, oxidation of biomolecules and cellular damage are some of the prominent characteristics of reactive species. Similarly, oxidative stress has been associated with more than one hundred (100) pathologies such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, pancreatic and liver diseases, joint disorders, cardiac fibrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, neurological diseases (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disorder, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease), ageing and cancer etc. The toxicity of reactive species is balanced by the integrated antioxidant systems, which include enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Antioxidant therapies or defenses protect the biological sites by removing or quenching the free radicals (prooxidants). Medicinal plants can not only protect the oxidative damage, but also play a vital role in health maintenance and prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. This review will provide a valuable discussion of one hundred (100) well known medicinal plants, which may add to the optimization of antioxidants rank. Besides, some of the antioxidant evaluation techniques or mechanisms via which medicinal plants act as antioxidants are also described.

Safety assessment and antioxidant activity of Lantana montevidensis leaves: contribution to its phytochemical and pharmacological activity

“…In biological system, antioxidants are extremely important due to their direct removal of pro-oxidants in order to ensure maximum protection for biological sites (Pisoschi and Pop, 2015[28]; Kamdem et al, 2016[18]; Hassan et al, 2017[16]). Iron(II) is a potent pro-oxidant that has been found to be increased in many neurodegenerative disorders associated with oxidative stress, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases (Zecca et al, 2008[40]; Becerril-Ortega et al, 2014[5]).…”

“…For instance, they can participate in the initiation step of LPO, DNA assault and oxidative stress through metal-catalyzed reactions (Aitken, 2014[1]; Hassan et al, 2017[16]). Here, we have investigated the Fe 2+ -chelating ability of EtOH and aqueous extracts of L. montevidensis .…”

Fortification of carrot juice with a high‐pressure‐obtained pomegranate peel extract: chemical, safety and sensorial aspects

“…Pomegranate juice is one of the most convenient ways to consume this fruit with numerous health benefits; however, its juice yield is about 332 L per ton of fruit, thus resulting in large amounts of by‐products, mainly in the form of peels (Qu et al ., ; Prospectiva 2020, ). The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of pomegranate peel have been well reported in the literature, and this last one may prevent ailments such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and degenerative processes related to ageing (Hassan et al ., ; Trigo et al ., ).…”

Phytochemical Content, Antidiabetic, Anticholinergic, and Antioxidant Activities of Endemic Lecokia cretica Extracts

“…Over the last few decades, there is increasing awareness that a natural plant‐based diet is important for human health . It is believed that two‐thirds of the plant species have medicinal value and virtually all of these have some antioxidant activity . Plant‐based antioxidant substances are widely distributed in plants where they perform many biological functions.…”

“…[10] It is believed that two-thirds of the plant species have medicinal value and virtually all of these have some antioxidant activity. [11,12] Plantbased antioxidant substances are widely distributed in plants where they perform many biological functions. A recent study reported the medicinal usage of Lecokia cretica (LAM.)…”