Antioxidants: a brief review

The field of free radical chemistry has gained a great deal of attention in recent years. Free radicals reactive oxygen species generated by our body by various endogenous systems leads to various pathological conditions. A balance between free radicals and antioxidants is prerequisite for proper physiological function. Oxidative stress caused by generation of free radicals adversely alters lipids, proteins, and DNA and provokes a number of human ailments. Oxidative stress can be managed by using external sources of antioxidants. Synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole have recently been reported to be harmful for human health. Thus, the search for effective, nontoxic natural compounds with antioxidant activity has been escalated in recent years. The present review provides a brief overview on antioxidants and natural sources of antioxidants in the management of human diseases.