Beneficial Role of Phytochemicals on Oxidative Stress and Age-Related Diseases

Biomed Res Int. 2019 Apr 7:2019:8748253. doi: 10.1155/2019/8748253. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Aging is related to a number of functional and morphological changes leading to progressive decline of the biological functions of an organism. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), released by several endogenous and exogenous processes, may cause important oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids, leading to important cellular dysfunctions. The imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant defenses brings to oxidative stress conditions and, related to accumulation of ROS, aging-associated diseases. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the most relevant data reported in literature on the natural compounds, mainly phytochemicals, with antioxidant activity and their potential protective effects on age-related diseases such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and chronic inflammation, and possibly lower side effects, when compared to other drugs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / drug effects*
  • Aging / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / drug therapy
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Phytochemicals / pharmacology*
  • Phytochemicals / therapeutic use*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Phytochemicals
  • Reactive Oxygen Species