SYSTEMATIC REVIEW: ROLE OF ANTIOXIDANTS IN HEALTH CARE

Dr. V. R. Ravikkumar, C. Meena., K. Mohamed Kaif, K. Jaisurya, K. Sudhagar, Dr. M. Senthil Kumar*

ABSTRACT

Background: Oxidative stress happens when there is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant defense systems. This kind of stress seems to play a role in several long-term illnesses. Medicinal plants that are rich in phenolic compounds and flavonoids are getting a lot of interest, mainly because they appear to have antioxidant potential. Methodology: In this systematic review we looked at published, peer-reviewed research articles plus review papers focused on antioxidants, medicinal plants, oxidative stress, and the way these may be used therapeutically. Studies related to diabetes mellitus, cancer, aging, autoimmune disorders, gallbladder diseases, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were carefully checked, then synthesized. Results: the evidence suggests that medicinal plants like Momordica charantia, Catharanthus roseus, Curcuma longa, Boswellia serrata, Phyllanthus niruri, and Plantago ovata have notable antioxidant effects. Their bioactive phytochemicals can scavenge free radicals, lower oxidative stress, and also show antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and gastrointestinal protective actions. Conclusion: Antioxidants found in medicinal plants may work as promising complementary therapeutic tools to help prevent and manage diseases that are linked with oxidative stress. Still, more standardized phytochemical work is needed, plus better planned clinical studies, so the real efficacy and safety can be confirmed.

Keywords: Antioxidants; Oxidative stress; Reactive oxygen species; Medicinal plants; Phenolic compounds; Flavonoids; Phytochemicals.