Molecular Mechanism and Molecular Design of Lubricating Oil Antioxidants

To overcome the limitations of traditional experimental“trial and error”methods in lubricant additive design,a new molecular design method based on molecular structure parameters is established here.The molecular mechanism of the antioxidant reaction of hindered phenol,diphenylamine,and alkyl sulfide are studied via molecular simulations.Calculation results show that the strong electron-donating ability and high hydrogen-donating activity of the antioxidant molecule and the low hydrogen-abstracting activity of free radicals formed after dehydrogenation are the internal molecular causes of the shielding of phenol and diphenylamine from scavenging peroxy free radicals,and the strong electron-donating ability is the internal molecular cause of the high activity of thioether in decomposing alkyl hydrogen peroxide.Based on this antioxidant molecular mechanism,a molecular design rule of antioxidant is proposed,namely“high EHOMO,large Q(S),low bond dissociation energy BDE(O—H)and BDE(N—H)”.Two new antioxidants,PAS-I and PAS-II,are designed and prepared by chemical bonding of hindered phenol,diphenylamine,and sulfur atoms.Experimental results show that these antioxidants both have excellent antioxidant effects in lubricating oil,and that PAS-II is the superior antioxidant,consistent with theoretical predictions.

Effect of antioxidants on the efficiency of jet milling and the powder characteristics of Sm2Co17 permanent magnets

This study investigated the effect of antioxidants on the grinding efficiency,magnetic powder characteristics,microstructure,and magnetic properties of 2:17 type SmCo permanent magnet materials.The results show that adding antioxidants helps improve the dispersion among magnetic powders,leading to a 33.3%decrease in jet milling time and a 15.8%increase in magnet powder production yield.Additionally,adding antioxidants enhances the oxidation resistance of the magnetic powders.After being stored in a constant temperature air environment at 25C for 48 h,the O content in the powder decreased by 33%compared to samples without antioxidants.While in the magnet body,the O content decreased from 0.21 wt.%to 0.14 wt.%,which helps increase the effective Sm content and domain wall pinning uniformity in the magnet.Excellent magnetic properties were obtained in the magnet with added antioxidants:B_(r)=11.6 kGs,SF=79.6%,H_(cj)=16.8 kOe,and(BH)_(max)=32.5 MGOe.

Distribution of antioxidants and phenolic compounds in flour milling fractions from hard red winter wheat

Mature wheat kernels contain three main parts:endosperm,bran,and germ.Flour milling results in multiple streams that are chemically different;however,the distribution of antioxidants and phenolic compounds has not been well documented in terms of conventional milling by-product streams.In this study,multiple analytical methods were used to investigate antioxidant activity and phenolic compound compositions of hard red winter wheat(whole ground wheat),the parts of a wheat kernel(bran,flour,germ),and wheat by-product streams(mill feed,red dog,shorts)for the first time.For each mill stream,phenolic compounds(total,flavonoid,and anthocyanin contents)were determined and antioxidant activities were evaluated with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH)radical-scavenging activity,ferric reducing/antioxidant power(FRAP),and total antioxidant capacity assays.Significant differences(P<0.05)were observed in phenolic concentrations among fractions of bran,flour,and germ milled from the same kernels and noted that germ accounts for the majority of antioxidant properties,whereas bran contains a substantial portion of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins.Mill feed was high in phenolic content(5.29 mg FAE/g),total antioxidant capacity(866 mg/g),and antioxidant activity(up to 75% DPPH inhibition and 20.26μmol FeSO_(4)/g).The comprehensive information on distribution of antioxidants and phenolic compounds provides insights for future human consumption of commonly produced co-products from flour milling,and for selecting and using different milling fractions to make foods with improved nutritional properties.

PHENOLIC ANTIOXIDANTS DETERMINATION IN FOOD ITEMS USING REVERSED-PHASE HPLC

The determination of synthetic phenolic antioxidants （SPAs） including propyl gallate （PG）, tertiary butyl hydroquinone （TI3HQ）, butylated hydroxyanisole （BHA） and butylated hydroxytoluene （BHT） in food items is reported using high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. A Cls column is used as the stationary phase, acetonltrile and water：Acetic acid （1%） is used as the mobile phase of gradient elution and the UV detec- tor is set at 280 nm. Under the above conditions, four antioxidents is completely separated within 8 rain. The limit of detection, linear range, and reproducibility of HPLC are evaluated. Isolation parameters of SPAs from different types of food items （cooking oil, margarine and butter, and cheese） are optimized. SPAs are extracted from food items through extraction with methanol/acetonitrile （1 ： 1, in volume）, vortex, ultrasonic treatment and precipitation in a freezer （2 h）. For cooking oil margarine, butter and cheese at 50 and 200 rag/L, recoveries of SPAs are 93.3%0--108.3% （PG）, 85.3~^--108.3~~ （TBHQ）, 96.7~^--101.2~/6 （BHA）, and 73.9^-- 94.6% （BHT）. The method is applied to the determination of SPAs in 38 food items （16 cooking oils, 8 mar- garine, 6 butter and 6 cheese samples）. The levels of SPAs in positive samples are all below the legal limits of China.

DFT Study on Molecular Structures and ROS Scavenging Mechanisms of Novel Antioxidants from Lespedeza Virgata

The molecular structure and radical scavenging activity of three novel antioxidants from Lespedeza Virgata, lespedezavirgatol, lespedezavirgatal, and lespedezacoumestan, have been studied using density functional theory with the B3LYP and BhandHLYP methods. The optimized geometries of neutral, radical cation, radical and anion forms were obtained at the B3LYP/6-31G（d） level, in which it was found that all the most stable conformations contain intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The same results were obtained from the MP2 method. The homolytic O-H bond dissociation enthalpy and the adiabatic ionization potential of neutral and anion forms for the three new antioxidants and adiabatic electron affinity and H-atom affinity for hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical, and hydrogen peroxide radical were determined both in gas phase and in aqueous solution using IEF-PCM and CPCM model with UAHF or Bondi cavity. The antioxidant activities and reactive oxygen species scavenging mechanisms were then discussed, and the results obtained from different methods are consistent. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities are consistent with the experimental findings of the compounds under investigation.

Phytochemical analysis and antioxidants activities of aqueous stem bark extract of Schotia latifolia Jacq

Objective:To evaluate the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of aqueous extract of Scholia latifolia(S.latifolia)bark locally used for the treatment of oxidative stress-induced ailments in South Africa.Methods:The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of aqueous extract of the plant was assessed against 1,1-diphenyl-2-pierylhydrazyl(DPPH),nitric oxide(NO),2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)diammonium salt(ABTS)and the ferric reducing agent.Total phenolics,flavonoids,flavonols and proanthocyanidins were also determined to assess their corresponding effect on the antioxidant activity of this plant.Results:The activities of plant extract against DPPH,ABTS and NO radicals were concentration dependent with IC_(50)value of 0.06,0.05 and 0.05 mg/mL,respectively.The reducing power of the extract was greater than that of butylated hydroxyl toluene(BHT)and ascorbic acid which were used as standard drugs in a concentration dependent manner.The total phenolics content of the aqueous bark extract was(193.33±0.03 TE/g),followed by flavonoids(72.70±0.01 QE/g),proanthocyanidins|48.76±0.00 CE/g)and flavonols(47.76±0.21 QE/g).Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of percentage tannin(11.40±0.02),alkaloid(9.80±0.01),steroids(18.20±0.01),glycosides(29.80±0.01)and saponins(6.80±0.00).The results exhibited a positive linear correlation between these polyphenols and the free radical scavenging activities.Conclusions:Our findings provide evidence that the crude aqueous extract of S.latifolia is a potential source of natural antioxidants and this justifies its uses in folkloric medicines.

Relationships among alcoholic liver disease,antioxidants,and antioxidant enzymes

Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages is a serious cause of liver disease worldwide.The metabolism of ethanol generates reactive oxygen species,which play a significant role in the deterio-ration of alcoholic liver disease(ALD).Antioxidant phytochemicals,such as polyphenols,regulate the expression of ALD-associated proteins and peptides,namely,catalase,superoxide dismutase,glutathione,glutathione peroxidase,and glutathione reductase.These plant antioxidants have electrophilic activity and may induce antioxidant enzymes via the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1--NF--E2--related factor--2 pathway and antioxidant responsive elements.Furthermore,these antioxidants are reported to alleviate cell injury caused by oxidants or inflammatory cytokines.These phenomena are likely induced via the regulation of mitogen--activating protein kinase(MAPK)pathways by plant antioxidants,similar to preconditioning in ischemia-reperfusion models.Although the relationship between plant antioxidants and ALD has not been adequately investigated,plant antioxidants may be preventive for ALD because of their electrophilic and regulatory activities in the MAPK pathway.

The research and development on the antioxidants in prevention of diabetic complications

Diabetes mellitus can damage the eyes,kidneys,nerves and heart.Microvascular and macrovascular disorders are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients.Hyperglycemia can increase the indicators of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in which free radicals have the main role in the pathogenesis of these complications.Therefore,antioxidants which combat oxidative stress should be able to prevent and repair free radicals induced damages.Although free radicals contribute to kidney damage,atherosclerosis,diabetes,heart disease,nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity; however,clinical trials do not uniquely confirm a substantial impact on diabetic damage.It seems that antioxidants in vegetables,fruits and grains help preventing diabetes complications; however,there is little evidence that taking single antioxidants such as vitamin E or vitamin C protect these complications.The findings about combination antioxidants are also complicated and not entirely clear.In this review paper we tried to present the role of oxidative stress on microvascular complications of type2 diabetes mellitus.Other objective of this paper is to review the new findings about the role of various antioxidants on prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus as well as its complications including retinopathy,nephropathy and neuropathy.

Oxidative stress and antioxidants in hepatic pathogenesis

Long term hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major risk factor in pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases,including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HBV encod-ed proteins,hepatitis B virus X protein and preS,appear to contribute importantly to the pathogenesis of HCC. Both are associated with oxidative stress,which can damage cellular molecules like lipids,proteins,and DNA during chronic infection. Chronic alcohol use is another important factor that contributes to oxidative stress in the liver. Previous studies reported that treatment with antioxidants,such as curcumin,silymarin,green tea,and vitamins C and E,can protect DNA from damage and regulate liver pathogenesis-related cascades by reducing reactive oxygen species. This review summarizes some of the relationships between oxidative stress and liver pathogenesis,focusing upon HBV and alcohol,and suggests antioxidant therapeutic approaches.

Relationship of nocturnal concentrations of melatonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid and total antioxidants in peripheral blood with insomnia after stroke： study protocol for a prospective non-randomized controlled trial

Melatonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid（GABA） have been shown to regulate sleep. The nocturnal concentrations of melatonin, GABA and total antioxidants may relate to insomnia in stroke patients. In this prospective single-center non-randomized controlled clinical trial performed in the China Rehabilitation Research Center, we analyzed the relationship of nocturnal concentrations of melatonin, GABA and total antioxidants with insomnia after stroke. Patients during rehabilitation of stroke were recruited and assigned to the insomnia group or non-insomnia group. Simultaneously, persons without stroke or insomnia served as normal controls. Each group contained 25 cases. The primary outcome was nocturnal concentrations of melatonin, GABA and total antioxidants in peripheral blood. The secondary outcomes were Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire（Chinese version）, and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale. The relationship of nocturnal concentrations of melatonin, GABA and total antioxidants with insomnia after stroke was analyzed and showed that they were lower in the insomnia group than in the non-insomnia group. The severity of stroke was higher in the insomnia group than in the non-insomnia group. Correlation analysis demonstrated that the nocturnal concentrations of melatonin and GABA were associated with insomnia after stroke. This trial was registered at Clinical Trials.gov, identifier： NCT03202121.

Evaluation of anti-apoptotic activity of different dietary antioxidants in renal cell carcinoma against hydrogen peroxide

Objective:To evaluate the anti-apoptotic and radical scavenging activities of dietary phenolics, namely ascorbic acid,a-tocopherol acetate,citric acid,salicylic acid,and estimate H_2O_2induced apoptosis in renal cell carcinoma cells.Methods:The intracellular antioxidant potency of antioxidants was investigated.H_2O-2-induced apoptosis in RCC-26 was assayed with the following parameters:cell viability(%apoptosis),nucleosomal damage and DNA fragmentation, bcl-2 levels and flow cytometery analysis(ROS production evaluation).Results:Ine anticancer properties of antioxidants such as ascorbic acid,a- tocopherol acetate,citric acid,salicylic acid with perdurable responses were investigated.It was observed that these antioxidants had protective effect(anti-apoptotic activity) against hydrogen peroxide(H_2O_2) in renal cell carcinoma(RCC-26) cell line.Conclusions:This study reveals and proves the anticancer properties.However,in cancer cell lines anti-apoptotic activity can indirectly reflect the cancer promoter activity through radicals scavenging,and significantly protect nucleus and bcl-2.

Effect of Commiphora mukul gum resin on hepatic marker enzymes,lipid peroxidation and antioxidants status in pancreas and heart of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Objective:To study the antioxidant efficacy of Commiphora mukul(C.mukul) gum resin ethanolic extract in streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetic rats.Methods:The male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups of eight animals each:Control group(C),CM-treated control group(C_+CMEE),Diabetic control group(D),CM- treated diabetic group(D_+CMEE).Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ(55 mg/kg/ bwt).After being confirmed the diabetic rats were treated with C.mukul gum resin ethanolic extract(CMEE) for 60 days.The biochemical estimations like antioxidant,oxidative stress marker enzymes and hepatic marker enzymes of tissues were performed.Results:The diabetic rats showed increased level of enzymatic activities aspartate aminotransaminase(AST),alanine aminotransaminase(ALT) in liver and kidney and oxidative markers like lipid peroxidation(LPO) and protein oxidation(PO) in pancreas and heart. Antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly decreased in the pancreas and heart compared to control group.Administration of CMEE(200 mg/kg bw) to diabetic rats for 60 days significantly reversed the above parameters towards normalcy.Conclusions:In conclusion,our data indicate the preventive role of C.mukul against STZ-induced diabetic oxidative stress;hence this plant could be used as an adjuvant therapy for the prevention and/or management of diabetes and aggravated antioxidant status.

Matrix metalloproteinases and gastrointestinal cancers: Impacts of dietary antioxidants

The process of carcinogenesis is tightly regulated by antioxidant enzymes and matrix degrading enzymes, namely, matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs). Degradation of extracellular matrix(ECM) proteins like collagen, proteoglycan, laminin, elastin and fibronectin is considered to be the prerequisite for tumor invasion and metastasis. MMPs can degrade essentially all of the ECM components and, most MMPs also substantially contribute to angiogenesis, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Hence, MMPs are important regulators of tumor growth both at the primary site and in distant metastases; thus the enzymes are considered as important targets for cancer therapy. The implications of MMPs in cancers are no longer mysterious; however, the mechanism of action is yet to be explained. Herein, our major interest is to clarify how MMPs are tied up with gastrointestinal cancers. Gastrointestinal cancer is a variety of cancer types, including the cancers of gastrointestinal tract and organs, i.e., esophagus, stomach, biliary system, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus. The activity of MMPs is regulated by its endogenous inhibitor tissue inhibitor of metallopro-teinase(TIMP) which bind MMPs with a 1:1 stoichiometry. In addition, RECK(reversion including cysteinerich protein with kazal motifs) is a membrane bound glycoprotein that inhibits MMP-2,-9 and-14. Moreover, α2-macroglobulin mediates the uptake of several MMPs thereby inhibit their activity. Cancerous conditions increase intrinsic reactive oxygen species(ROS) through mitochondrial dysfunction leading to altered protease/anti-protease balance. ROS, an index of oxidative stress is also involved in tumorigenesis by activation of different MAP kinase pathways including MMP induction. Oxidative stress is involved in cancer by changing the activity and expression of regulatory proteins especially MMPs. Epidemiological studies have shown that high intake of fruits that rich in antioxidants is associated with a lower cancer incidence. Evidence indicates that some antioxidants inhibit the growth of malignant cells by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting the activity of MMPs. This review is discussed in six subchapters, as follows.

Hepatoprotective effects of antioxidants in chronic hepatitis C

We have read with interest the paper published in issue 2, volume 16 of World Journal of Gastroenterology 2010 by Nakamura et al, demonstrating that the antioxidant resveratrol (RVT) enhances hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication, consequently, they conclude that RVT is not a suitable antioxidant therapy for HCV chronic infection. The data raise some concern regarding the use of complementary and alternative medicine since the most frequent supplements taken by these patients are antioxidants or agents that may be beneficial for different chronic liver diseases. A recent study by Vidali et al on oxidative stress and steatosis in the progression of chronic hepatitis C concludes that oxidative stress and insulin resistance contribute to steatosis, thus accelerating the progression of fibrosis. We are particularly interested in investigating how the oxidative and nitrosative stress mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of different chronic liver diseases.

Investigation of Extracts from Tunisian Ethnomedicinal Plants as Antioxidants,Cytotoxins,and Antimicrobials

Objective To determine the medicinal potential of various plants and their parts extracted with different solvents. Methods The total phenolic content of acetonitrile/water（60%-40%）（ACN/W） and aqueous（W） extract fractions was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography（HPLC）, and terpenic compounds were detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry（GC/MS）. Antioxidant activity of the samples was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl（DPPH） assay and β-carotene bleaching method. Cell viability was investigated by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide [3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol）-2-yl 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide]（MTT） assay. The mechanisms involved in cytotoxic activity were investigated in a murine macrophage cell line（RAW 264.7） and cancer lines. Results Our findings show that 11 plant species exhibited biological activity. In addition, moderate antibacterial activity was reported against one or more of the tested bacterial strains at two concentrations： 300 μg and 3 mg/disc. Furthermore, our data reveal that among all plants investigated, some extract and hydrophobic fractions were potent scavengers of the DPPH radical（6.78 μg/m L 〈 EC50 〈 8.55 μg/mL）. Taken together, our results show that Nerium oleander（NOACN/W） and Pituranthos tortuosus（PTACN/W） were highly cytotoxic against RAW 264.7 cells with IC80 values of 0.36, and 1.55 μg/mL, respectively. In contrast, murine macrophage cell lines had low growth and were significantly sensitive to water extracts of Thymus hirtus sp. algeriensis（THW）, Lavandula multifida（LMW）, and ACN/W extract of Erica multiflora（EMACN/W） at doses 〉 400, 47.20, and 116.74 μg/m L, respectively. The current work demonstrates that RAW 264.7 cell proliferation was inhibited by samples in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Our findings, validated through free radical scavenging activity, agar diffusion assay, and cytotoxicity of essential oils towards cancer cells, show that ethnomedicinal plants used in this work have a novel application as a tumor suppressor.

Antioxidants in liver health

Liver diseases are a worldwide medical problem because the liver is the principal detoxifying organ and maintains metabolic homeostasis. The liver metabolizes various compounds that produce free radicals(FR).However, antioxidants scavenge FR and maintain the oxidative/antioxidative balance in the liver. When the liver oxidative/antioxidative balance is disrupted, the state is termed oxidative stress. Oxidative stress leadsto deleterious processes in the liver and produces liver diseases. Therefore, restoring antioxidants is essential to maintain homeostasis. One method of restoring antioxidants is to consume natural compounds with antioxidant capacity. The objective of this review is to provide information pertaining to various antioxidants found in food that have demonstrated utility in improving liver diseases.

The in vitro effects of superoxide, some commercially available antioxidants and red palm oil on sperm motility

In this study, two commercially available superoxide scavengers, tetrakis （1-methyl-4-pyridyl） porphyrin （Mn[III]TMPyP） and superoxide dismutase （SOD）, as well as red palm oil （RPO）, a natural vegetable oil, had been used to investigate their possible in vitro effects against the toxic effects of superoxide （O2＋） on human sperm motility. Semen samples were obtained from 12 normozoospermic healthy volunteer donors aged between 19 and 23 years. The O2＋donor 2,3-dimetoxyl-l,4-naphthoquinone （DMNQ） （2.5 μmol· L^-1-100 μmol· L^-1） was added to normozoospermic post-swim-up sperm in the presence or absence of Mn（III）TMPyP （50 μmol· L^-1）, SOD （50 IU） or RPO （0.1% or 0.5%）. Computer-assisted semen analysis was used to analyze various motility parameters. The parameters of interest were percentage of motile cells, progressive motility, rapid cells and static cells. Concentrations of higher than 25 μmol· L^-1 DMNQ were detrimental to sperm motility. Mn（III）TMPyP was able to attenuate the effect of O2＋ on the motility parameters. In vitro addition of SOD and RPO showed harmful effects on sperm motility.

Synthesis and evaluation of some novel additives as antioxidants and corrosion inhibitors for petroleum fractions

Benzoxazinone 2 was prepared and reacted with formamide,acetamide,some primary aromatic amines and heterocyclic amines giving the corresponding quinazolone derivatives 3-15 respectively.The reaction of benzoxazinone 2 with hydrazine hydrate and phenyl hydrazine was also studied.Representative compounds of the synthesized products were evaluated as antioxidants and corrosion inhibitors for gasoline engine lubricating oil.The highest antioxidant activities were obtained with compounds 10-15.The optimum concentration recommended for these new additives was found to be 0.lg for 1L ofoil for compounds 13-15.In addition,some of the highly effective antioxidant additives,namely 10-15,were thermally analyzed by using thermogravimetric analysis （TGA） and differential thermal gravimetric analysis （DTGA） techniques and the results indicated that compounds are thermally stable and could be used under thermal conditions.Moreover,a comparison of the oxidation stability between the tested oil containing the prepared products and lubricating oil containing commercial additives was also studied.

Impacts of Passive Smoking on Learning and Memory Ability of Mouse Offsprings and Intervention by Antioxidants

Objective To determine the impact of passive smoking and the protective effect of antioxidants such as vitamin E and quercetin on learning and memory ability of mouse offsprings. Methods A passive smoking model of pregnant mice was established. Learning and memory ability was evaluated by the water maze test and long term potentiation （LTP）. Nitric oxide （NO）, content, nitric oxide synthase （NOS）, acetylcholinesteras （Ache） activity in brain, vitamin E concentration, and reactive oxygen species （ROS） in serum were determined. The latency period （the time during which the mice swim from the starting position to the ending position） and errors （the number of mice entering the blind end） in control and antioxidant intervention groups were compared with those in the smoke exposure group after 6 days. Results The latency period as well as errors in the air, control diet, tobacco smoke （TS）, and vitamin E diet groups were decreased significantly as compared with the TS and control diet groups （P〈O.05）. LTP was restrained in the TS and control diet groups. LTP in all the antioxidant diet groups was significantly increased compared with the TS and control diet groups. In addition, NOS and acetylcholinesteras （Ache） activitiy was significantly higher in the TS and control diet groups than in the air and control diet group. NO content was not significantly different among the different groups, and significantly lower in the TS and vitamin E diet groups than in the TS group, control diet group, quercetin diet group, and mixture diet group （P〈0.05）. Vitamin E concentration and ROS activity in serum were correlated with the outcome of water maze and LTP. Conclusion Passive smoking reduces LTP formation by disturbing the hippocampus function of mice, by decreasing NOS （especially vitamin E） partially improve the learning and memory smoke during pregnancy. and Ache activity and increasing NO content. Antioxidants ability of offsprings whose mothers are exposed to tobacco

Antioxidants: Friend or foe?

Reactive oxygen species are the intermediates that are formed during the normal metabolic process which are effectively neutralized by the antioxidant system of the body.Any imbalance in this neutralization process causes oxidative stress which has been implicated as one of the cause in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disorders, cancer etc. Research has enabled the use of antioxidants as therapeutic agents in the treatment of various diseases. Literature also puts forth the negative effects of using antioxidants in the treatment of diseases. This review is a compilation of both the beneficial and detrimental effects of use of antioxidants in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and oral diseases.