Free radicals and their impact on health and antioxidant defenses: a review
Abstract Free radicals, characterized by the presence of unpaired electrons, are highly reactive species that play a significant role in human health. These molecules can be generated through various endogenous processes, such as mitochondrial respiration and immune cell activation, as well as exoge...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Publishing Group
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Cell Death Discovery |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-024-02278-8 |
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| author | Nisansala Chandimali Seon Gyeong Bak Eun Hyun Park Hyung-Jin Lim Yeong-Seon Won Eun-Kyung Kim Sang-Ik Park Seung Jae Lee |
| author_facet | Nisansala Chandimali Seon Gyeong Bak Eun Hyun Park Hyung-Jin Lim Yeong-Seon Won Eun-Kyung Kim Sang-Ik Park Seung Jae Lee |
| author_sort | Nisansala Chandimali |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Free radicals, characterized by the presence of unpaired electrons, are highly reactive species that play a significant role in human health. These molecules can be generated through various endogenous processes, such as mitochondrial respiration and immune cell activation, as well as exogenous sources, including radiation, pollution, and smoking. While free radicals are essential for certain physiological processes, such as cell signaling and immune defense, their overproduction can disrupt the delicate balance between oxidants and antioxidants, leading to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress results in the damage of critical biomolecules like DNA, proteins, and lipids, contributing to the pathogenesis of various diseases. Chronic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and inflammatory diseases have been strongly associated with the harmful effects of free radicals. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics and types of free radicals, their mechanisms of formation, and biological impacts. Additionally, we explore natural compounds and extracts studied for their antioxidant properties, offering potential therapeutic avenues for managing free radical-induced damage. Future research directions are also discussed to advance our understanding and treatment of free radical-associated diseases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-82154bab015d42fbae8f3fc168d604ab |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2058-7716 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cell Death Discovery |
| spelling | doaj-art-82154bab015d42fbae8f3fc168d604ab2025-01-26T12:15:23ZengNature Publishing GroupCell Death Discovery2058-77162025-01-0111111710.1038/s41420-024-02278-8Free radicals and their impact on health and antioxidant defenses: a reviewNisansala Chandimali0Seon Gyeong Bak1Eun Hyun Park2Hyung-Jin Lim3Yeong-Seon Won4Eun-Kyung Kim5Sang-Ik Park6Seung Jae Lee7Functional Biomaterial Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Functional Biomaterial Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Functional Biomaterial Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Scripps Korea Antibody InstituteDivision of Research Management, Department of Bioresource Industrialization, Honam National Institute of Biological ResourceNutritional Education Major, Graduate School of Education, Dong-A UniversityDepartment of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 FOUR Program, Chonnam National UniversityFunctional Biomaterial Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Abstract Free radicals, characterized by the presence of unpaired electrons, are highly reactive species that play a significant role in human health. These molecules can be generated through various endogenous processes, such as mitochondrial respiration and immune cell activation, as well as exogenous sources, including radiation, pollution, and smoking. While free radicals are essential for certain physiological processes, such as cell signaling and immune defense, their overproduction can disrupt the delicate balance between oxidants and antioxidants, leading to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress results in the damage of critical biomolecules like DNA, proteins, and lipids, contributing to the pathogenesis of various diseases. Chronic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and inflammatory diseases have been strongly associated with the harmful effects of free radicals. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics and types of free radicals, their mechanisms of formation, and biological impacts. Additionally, we explore natural compounds and extracts studied for their antioxidant properties, offering potential therapeutic avenues for managing free radical-induced damage. Future research directions are also discussed to advance our understanding and treatment of free radical-associated diseases.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-024-02278-8 |
| spellingShingle | Nisansala Chandimali Seon Gyeong Bak Eun Hyun Park Hyung-Jin Lim Yeong-Seon Won Eun-Kyung Kim Sang-Ik Park Seung Jae Lee Free radicals and their impact on health and antioxidant defenses: a review Cell Death Discovery |
| title | Free radicals and their impact on health and antioxidant defenses: a review |
| title_full | Free radicals and their impact on health and antioxidant defenses: a review |
| title_fullStr | Free radicals and their impact on health and antioxidant defenses: a review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Free radicals and their impact on health and antioxidant defenses: a review |
| title_short | Free radicals and their impact on health and antioxidant defenses: a review |
| title_sort | free radicals and their impact on health and antioxidant defenses a review |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-024-02278-8 |
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