Abstract

PATHOLOGICAL ROLE OF FREE RADICALS AND NEED OF HERBAL ANTIOXIDANTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF OXIDATIVE STRESS DISEASES

Zahida Shah* and Sabeeha Shafi

Abstract

Free Radicals are produced as a part of normal metabolic processes. Free Radicals can be formed from both endogenous and exogenous substances. All the biological molecules present in our body are at risk of being attacked by free radicals. Such damaged molecules can impair cell functions and even lead to cell death eventually resulting in diseased states. Free Radical reactions have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many Chronic diseases including Neurodegenrative disorders like Alzheimers diseases, Parkinson’s diseases etc., Cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, Pulmonary disorders like inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma and various other chronic diseases like Diabetes, liver diseases, Cancer, Pancreatitis etc. Antioxidants delay oxidative damage to a target molecule. Antioxidants terminate the free radical chain damage by donating hydrogen or electrons to free radicals and converting them to more stable products. Antioxidants not only minimize oxidative stress, promote our physical condition but also prevent chronic diseases in which free radicals are involved. There is a wide spread agreement that synthetic antioxidants need to be replaced with herbal antioxidants because some synthetic antioxidants have shown potential health risks and toxicity, most notably possible carcinogenic effects. Therefore, it is of immense importance to find new sources of Natural antioxidants which are of great importance in Pharmaceutical formulations and also in order to use them in foods.

Keywords: Free Radicals, Pathogenesis, Chronic Diseases, Herbal Antioxidants, Carcinogenic effects.