Vitamin C, vitamin E and flavonoids.
All inflammatory processes include oxygen-activating processes where reactive oxygen species are produced. Intrinsic radical scavenging systems or compounds administered with food warrant metabolic control within certain limits. Antioxidants, which in many cases are free radical scavengers or quenchers of activated states, comprise a vast number of classes of organic molecules including most prominently the phenolics. In this report, mechanisms of protection from oxidative damage by the antioxidants vitamin C and E and flavonoids, as present in most plant extracts used as natural drugs, are summarized. For this purpose the principle of oxygen activation during representative disease processes and the protective actions of antioxidants are outlined in short.
Janisch
K M
KM
TUM Weihenstephan, Center of Life and Food Sciences, Lehrstuhl für Phytopathologie, Freising, Germany.
Milde
J
J
Schempp
H
H
Elstner
E F
EF
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology
D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid