Current Status of Antioxidants in clinical practices - A Review

Abstract

Rationale: Now a days, prescribing antioxidant drugs has become very much common. Their usefulness in certain long term, chronic conditions where oxidative stress plays a vital role is well explained. But in many other conditions, their role is yet not fully discovered or explained as well their duration of use, type of antioxidant to be used, their pros and cons as well as role of free radicals in our body need to be understood by the prescribing physicians. Up to date research on this and knowledge will change attitude and practice and therefore will have positive impact on physical, mental and economic wellbeing of the patients. Aim: It is to study the use of antioxidants in clinical practice and analyze the rationality in terms of their appropriate use, duration, cost, safety and efficacy. Methodology: This review article has been prepared by going through various literature like research articles, text books and drug indexes available on the same topic. This review article focuses on various research on the pharmacological activities of natural and synthetic antioxidant molecules as well as addresses their rationality in current practice. Discussion and Conclusion: Free radicals (FR) are atoms or molecules with unpaired electrons. Endogenous production of free radicals takes place in mitochondria, peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum, etc. Exogenous factors like cigarette smoking, chronic alcohol intake, toxic environmental products, etc. also contribute to the production of FR. When pro-oxidative processes overwhelm cellular antioxidant defense, there is a development of oxidative stress. Antioxidants protect cells from damages caused by free radicals. Antioxidants act as free radical scavengers and further classified into endogenous & exogenous antioxidants. Antioxidants prolong or delay the occurrence of neurodegenerative disorders, eye diseases, liver diseases, cancer and ageing. Also, antioxidants are found useful in some dermatological conditions, endometriosis and periodontitis. But studies conducted throughout world shows that free radicals are harmful but are also important in human body for many physiological processes and antioxidants though considered protective and useful may have their own harmful effects. So a balance has to be maintained to get a positive outcome in clinical practice