Plants as a source of Antioxidants

Sanjeet Kumar

Oxidation is a chemical reaction that produces free radicals such as hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion and reactive oxygen species (Hydrogen peroxide and Hypochlorous acid) in the cells. These radicals and ROS (Reactive oxygen species) start chain reactions such as lipid peroxidation or by oxidizing DNA or proteins and produce oxidative stress is thought to contribute to the development of a wide range of diseases including Alzeimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and neuron diseases. Also DNA damage creates mutation and Cancer. Antioxidants terminate these above chain reactions by removing free radicals intermediates and inhibit other oxidation reactions. These are widely used as ingredients in dietary supplements or as natural compounds. These are naturally found in plants. Plants are rich in secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds, alkaloids and other bioactive compounds.

These secondary metabolites possess antioxidants followed by ascorbic acids. Many reports clearly indicate that there is a great possibility of finding potent antioxidants of plant origin like Cranberries are rich of phenolic compounds, fruits of Blackcurrent are rich of Flavonoids, Aronia malanocarpa are considered as the richest polyphenols source, Citrus plant species are rich source of antioxidants due to big content of Vitamin-C. Tomatoes, red pepper, onion, garlic are also best sources of antioxidants. Catechins an antioxidant compounds present in beans. Above studies revealed that Plants are good source of natural antioxidants and prevent to Cancer or other diseases.