Title:Plant Antioxidants and Mechanisms of Action
Volume: 15
Issue: 10
Author(s): Weslley Felix de Oliveira, Priscila Marcelino dos Santos Silva, Luana Cassandra Breitenbach Barroso Coelho*Maria Tereza dos Santos Correia*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biochemistry, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco,Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco,Brazil
Keywords:
Plant antioxidants, antioxidative mechanisms, free radicals, oxidative stress, nanotubes, nanoemulsions.
Abstract: Background: Free radicals are unstable molecules with one or more unpaired electrons
that can associate and oxidize the biological macromolecules causing damage. The human organism
is endowed with antioxidant defenses; however, an imbalance between these defenses and the
oxidative stress, derived from excess of free radicals, can trigger the development of diseases. The
fighting against free radicals can receive the reinforcement of endogenous and exogenous antioxidant
molecules. Plants constitute a valuable source of antioxidant compounds, thus, this review
explains the activity of the main enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants of plants functioning as
exogenous antioxidants for humans.
Methods: Works were searched through electronic databases according to article titles, abstract text,
and relevance in the field of plant antioxidant compounds. Articles were analyzed and selected by
the authors (WFO and PMSS) and were approved by the other authors (LCBBC and MTSC).
Results: Some pathological conditions can be initiated or exacerbated by free radicals that cause
cellular and molecular damages. Plants can produce constitutively antioxidant molecules, with enzymatic
or non-enzymatic action; and such synthesis can be increased in certain situations when the
plants are exposed to some stressors. These compounds with antioxidant action can be identified in
plant extracts and even be purified with elucidation of their chemical structure. Different in vitro
methodologies can be useful for screening the antioxidant action of these molecules, for example,
by evaluating the reducing power of such compounds on commercially available free radicals.
Nanotechnology can be used to promote local delivery of antioxidant molecules, for example, by
loading such compounds into nanotubes or encapsulating them in nanoemulsions.
Conclusion: Some isolated compounds approached can be used for the design of new drugs. In
addition, this article reports new nanotechnological systems that promote the delivery of plant antioxidant
molecules, becoming a future perspective for the elaboration of more effective formulations
with these compounds.