Biological effects of catalytic antioxidants and oxidative stress

Bulgarian Medical Journal, 2023, 17(2), 21-29.

V. Dancheva1, G. Stavreva2

1 Department of Hygiene, Medical Ecology, Occupational Diseases and Disaster Medicine”, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Pleven
2 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University – Pleven

Abstract. This article is a thematic review of research conducted in the field of oxidative stress and modern perspectives and opportunities for the application of diverse catalytic antioxidants. Oxidative stress that results from an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidant defense has been shown to participate in a wide range of pathological processes. The results obtained using natural antioxidant enzymes as therapeutic agents over the years are controversial. Therefore, many antioxidant therapeutic agents are being developed, some of which are currently undergoing clinical trials. In addition, a large number of low molecular weight compounds known as superoxide dismutase/catalase mimetics have been developed. Emphasis is placed on pathogenetic mechanisms of antioxidant action, application in different experimental models, effectiveness and approaches contributing to the increased antioxidant defense and greater pharmacological success in a variety of diseases.

Key words: oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, antioxidants, metalloporhyrins, mimetics

Address for correspondence: Assoc. Prof. Violeta Dacheva, MD, e-mail: vilidana@abv.bg