2022/04/12 by G. Martemucci, Ciro Costagliola, Michele Mariano +3 · 3 citations
Chemistry · Medicine · #Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress #Free Radicals and Antioxidants #Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
paper · pdf · doi:10.3390/oxygen2020006
openalex publication_date 2022/04/12 · openalex created_date 2022/04/19 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Free radicals have acquired growing importance in the fields of biology and medicine. They are produced during many different endogenous and exogenous processes. Mitochondria are the main source of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced at cell level. The overproduction of free radicals can damage macromolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. This leads to tissue damage in various chronic and degenerative diseases. Antioxidants play a crucial role in the body’s defense against free radicals. This review concerns the main properties of free radicals, their sources and deleterious effects. It highlights the potential role of the dietary supplementation of antioxidants and discusses unsolved problems regarding antioxidant supplements in the prevention and therapy of diseases.