Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are widely believed to cause or aggravate several human pathologies such as neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, stroke and many other ailments. Antioxidants are assumed to counteract the harmful effects of ROS and therefore prevent or treat oxidative stress-related diseases. In this report, recent human studies exploring the efficiency of antioxidants in prevention and treatment of various diseases are reviewed. Few antioxidants including edaravone (for ischemic stroke in Japan), Nacetylcysteine (for acetaminophen toxicity), alfa-lipoic acid (for diabetic neuropathy) and some flavonoids (polyphenolic compounds present in dietary plants), such as micronized purified flavonoid fraction (diosmin and hesperidin) and oxerutins (for chronic venous insufficiency) as well as baicalein and catechins (for osteoarthritis) have found accepted clinical use. However, despite much enthusiasm in the 1980s and 1990s, many well-known agents such as antioxidant vitamins and also more recently developed compounds such as nitrones have not successfully passed the scrutiny of clinical trials for prevention and treatment of various diseases. This has given rise to a pessimistic view of antioxidant therapy, however, the evidence from human epidemiological studies about the beneficial effects of dietary antioxidants and preclinical in vitro and animal data are compelling. We have probably wasted too much time on agents like antioxidant vitamins instead of focusing on more disease specific, target-directed, highly bioavailable antioxidants. We here discuss possible reasons for the lack of success in some clinical trials and seek to provide some suggestions to be considered if antioxidant therapy is to succeed as an effective therapeutic strategy.
Keywords: Antioxidant, therapy, clinical trial, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, edaravone, idebenone, N-acetylcysteine, Lipoic acid
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Antioxidant Therapy: Current Status and Future Prospects
Volume: 18 Issue: 25
Author(s): O. Firuzi, R. Miri, M. Tavakkoli and L. Saso
Affiliation:
Keywords: Antioxidant, therapy, clinical trial, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, edaravone, idebenone, N-acetylcysteine, Lipoic acid
Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are widely believed to cause or aggravate several human pathologies such as neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, stroke and many other ailments. Antioxidants are assumed to counteract the harmful effects of ROS and therefore prevent or treat oxidative stress-related diseases. In this report, recent human studies exploring the efficiency of antioxidants in prevention and treatment of various diseases are reviewed. Few antioxidants including edaravone (for ischemic stroke in Japan), Nacetylcysteine (for acetaminophen toxicity), alfa-lipoic acid (for diabetic neuropathy) and some flavonoids (polyphenolic compounds present in dietary plants), such as micronized purified flavonoid fraction (diosmin and hesperidin) and oxerutins (for chronic venous insufficiency) as well as baicalein and catechins (for osteoarthritis) have found accepted clinical use. However, despite much enthusiasm in the 1980s and 1990s, many well-known agents such as antioxidant vitamins and also more recently developed compounds such as nitrones have not successfully passed the scrutiny of clinical trials for prevention and treatment of various diseases. This has given rise to a pessimistic view of antioxidant therapy, however, the evidence from human epidemiological studies about the beneficial effects of dietary antioxidants and preclinical in vitro and animal data are compelling. We have probably wasted too much time on agents like antioxidant vitamins instead of focusing on more disease specific, target-directed, highly bioavailable antioxidants. We here discuss possible reasons for the lack of success in some clinical trials and seek to provide some suggestions to be considered if antioxidant therapy is to succeed as an effective therapeutic strategy.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Firuzi O., Miri R., Tavakkoli M. and Saso L., Antioxidant Therapy: Current Status and Future Prospects, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2011; 18 (25) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986711803414368
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986711803414368 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Editorial [Hot Topic: New Avenues of Research on Multiple Sclerosis from the Perspective of Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency Paradigm (Guest Editor: Marian Simka)]
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin in Salvage Chemotherapy for Multiple Myeloma Patients
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Systemic Delivery of siRNA: Challenging but Promising
Recent Patents on Drug Delivery & Formulation The Effects of Lipid-Regulating Therapy on Haemostatic Parameters
Current Pharmaceutical Design Diabetes and Metallothionein
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Microcirculatory Dysfunction in Sepsis
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Autoimmune Pancreatitis and Diagnostic Criteria
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Bilirubin Chemistry and Metabolism; Harmful and Protective Aspects
Current Pharmaceutical Design Novel Strategies for the Detection of Systolic and Diastolic Heart Failure
Current Cardiology Reviews Surgical Management of Heart Failure
Current Cardiology Reviews Role of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine in Cardiorenal Syndrome
Current Pharmaceutical Design Vascular Damage in Impaired Glucose Tolerance: An Unappreciated Phenomenon?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Bidirectional Nature of Cardiovascular and Kidney Disease
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Symptoms in Dilating Venous Disease
Current Cardiology Reviews The Emerging Roles of Leptin and Ghrelin in Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology
Current Vascular Pharmacology Flavopiridol, the First Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor: Recent Advances in Combination Chemotherapy
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Relaxin as a Cardiovascular Hormone: Physiology, Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Promises
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Ethnic and Geographical Differences in Ischaemic Stroke Among Young Adults
Current Vascular Pharmacology Pharmacokinetics of Darolutamide in Mouse - Assessment of the Disposition of the Diastereomers, Key Active Metabolite and Interconversion Phenomenon: Implications to Cancer Patients
Drug Metabolism Letters Therapeutic Potential of Targeting Glypican-3 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry