ABSTRACT
Over the eons, numerous physiological processes and biological organelles have developed that allow existence in a precarious aerobic environment. Even though molecular oxygen is absolutely required to provide the fuel which sustains cell viability, it also poses an enormous threat. Situations do arise in which there is an imbalance in free-radical formation and removal. Increasing evidence suggests that such an imbalance may contribute to the pathophysiological abnormalities associated with disease, exposure to environment pollutants, and aging. When attempting to design a synthetic antioxidant, one must consider variables such as the site of radical production, the type of radicals produced, and the critical cellular targets, which, when oxidized, lead to a loss of cell function or viability. Ideally, preventing the formation of an initiating radical species or the initiation event is the best approach to controlling oxidative damage. The complexity of propagation reactions opens many avenues from which intervention can be attempted and, accordingly, numerous approaches have been attempted.
