Herbal Remedies as Antioxidants: An Overview

Abstract

The primary cause of degenerative disease is not due to damaging free radicals, but rather it is due to the requirement of highly ordered cell biochemistry becoming disordered due to insufficient cellular energy to maintain the normal state of order. There is a complex defense system in the body, in which vitamins, minerals, amino acids and certain enzymes play a central role called the antioxidant system. Antioxidants are weapons for combating free radicals and mop up damaging chemicals in the body and guard against many chronic diseases. Heart disease, arthritis, cancer and many other common chronic diseases derive from the same source: fortuitous mutations caused largely by free radicals. Under optimum conditions, cells are protected against free radicals and lipid per oxidation. Antioxidants are substances, which react chemically with free radicals and render them harmless and at the same time break the vicious circle, which involves the decomposition of fatty acids & proteins, the creation of new free radicals and eventual cell death. Because free radical damage accumulates with age, people should start supplementing with antioxidants early to achieve long-term benefits. The scientific community has begun to unveil some of the mysteries surrounding this topic, and the media has begun whetting our thirst for knowledge

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activities and Phenolic Compounds of <i>Scorzonera latifolia</i> (Fisch. & Mey.) DC. Collected from Different Geographic Origins in Turkey

“…Natural antioxidants from plant sources have been gaining more interest in recent years due to their important roles in the maintenance of health and protection from ageing-related degenerative diseases. 31,32 Plants serve as potential sources of compounds with antioxidant activity such as vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, etc. 33 Phenolic compounds, one of the largest group of secondary metabolites, exhibit strong antioxidant activity as free radical scavengers, hydrogen donating sources or as singlet oxygen quenchers and metal ion chelators.…”

Assessment of antiasthmatic activity of Carissa carandas L. leaves

“…The unripe fruit has been traditional used as an astringent. The others reported pharmacological activities of Carissa carandas are cardiotonic, hepatoprotective, free radical scavenging and xanthine oxidase inhibitory, histamine releasing, antirhumatic, antibacterial, antiviral, anticonvulsant activity, asthmatic activity and H+ K ATase activity (Charde et al, 2011. All these pharmacological activities showed, this plant might have potential source of bioactive compounds.…”

Role of herbal medicines in the treatment and management of corona disease

“…In general, Unani traditional medicine suggests using a few specific medications during epidemics to boost immunity. Therefore, adopting herbal treatments to increase COVID-19 immunity is a possibility (Gautret et al, 2020;Garg et al, 2016;Garg et al, 2018;Tiwari et al, 2020;Dubey et al, 2021;Charde et al, 2011).…”