Asma Bashir 1, Amna Munir 2, Hasooba Hira 2, Ragheeba Akram 2, Ayesha Ghafoor 2, Amina Mustafa 2, Bisma 3 and Maryam Jameel 2*
1Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 2Department of Zoology, Wildlife & Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 3Department of Computer Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
*Corresponding Authors: maryamjamil967@gmail.com (MJ); asmaawan241@gmail.com (AB)
Oxidative stress develops when the body's antioxidant defenses cannot neutralize excessive production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Overproduction of ROS, including superoxide, hydroxyl radicals, and hydrogen peroxide, may damage cellular components, causing pathways associated with cancer, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration. The positive effect of plant-derived antioxidants is the capacity to neutralize ROS-mediated damage; hence, there is increased scientific interest in this category of antioxidants. This review discusses the use of plant-based antioxidants to alleviate oxidative stress, the role of ROS in disease pathogenesis, and the opportunities/limitations of applying these natural compounds in clinical practice. Relevant literature on phytochemicals with antioxidant properties, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, carotenoids, and alkaloids, was analyzed. The literature on their ROS-neutralization mechanisms, biological effects, and influences on bioavailability was evaluated. New technological improvements in delivery technologies were also considered. Plant antioxidants show great promise in regulating oxidative damage by scavenging ROS, modulating redox pathways, and enhancing endogenous defence mechanisms. It has been demonstrated to be widely clinically useful across a variety of disease models. Nevertheless, their clinical performance is limited by factors like low absorption, instability during digestion, and rapid breakdown in the body. Recent delivery methods, such as nanoformulations, liposomal encapsulations, and polymer-based carriers, have the potential to enhance stability and bioavailability. Plant-derived antioxidants remain worth considering for treating ROS-induced cellular damage and preventing diseases associated with oxidative stress. Addressing existing constraints by improving the quality of delivery systems could increase their therapeutic relevance and make them applicable to evidence-based clinical practice.