ABSTRACT:
Antioxidants are important for maintaining health .Oxidative stress occurs when antioxidant defense system is inadequate, which in turn causes lipid, protein and carbohydrate damage. The imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense system may damage DNA. Plants having vitamins, flavanoids and polyphenols possess antioxidant properties. Oxidation of molecules may lead to formation of free radicals that can start chain reactions and ultimately result in cell damage or death. Antioxidants will terminate these chain reactions by eliminating the free radical intermediates and hence they are referred as Reducing agents. Free Radicals are toxic metabolites of Oxygen which are lethal to living cells. Hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anions are together known as Free radical intermediates .Mechanism by which Reactive Oxygen Species causes tissue damage is DNA damage, Lipid peroxidation, Protein damage, Oxidation of Antiproteases and Stimulation of Pro infective cytokine release by monocytes and macrophages. The antioxidants are used for prevention of coronary artery disease by preventing atherosclerosis, sickle cell anaemia, Alzheimer’s disease, Diabetes, premalignant oral lesions and many more disease conditions. So in this review, I have tried to highlight the various therapeutic potential of antioxidants.