Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Natural Extracts
Summary
Natural extracts rich in polyphenols, flavonoids and other secondary metabolites have long been investigated for their capacity to counteract oxidative stress and inflammation. Oxidative stress arises when an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) overwhelms endogenous antioxidant defences, leading to cellular damage and the activation of pro-inflammatory pathways. By scavenging free radicals, chelating metal ions and modulating enzyme activities, botanical compounds can restore redox balance and attenuate inflammatory signalling cascades, including cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways. Modern studies have employed advanced chromatographic and spectrometric techniques to profile complex mixtures, revealing hundreds of bioactive constituents in fruits, leaves and barks from diverse geographic regions. From improved vascular function and neuroprotection to hypocholesterolaemic and antiseptic effects, the global significance of these extracts extends to functional foods, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Integrating molecular insights with in vivo and ex vivo models has illuminated structure–activity relationships, guiding optimised formulations and standardisation for clinical translation and sustainable exploitation of botanical resources.
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Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Natural Extracts publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of natural extracts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules derived from oxygen that can damage cells.
Polyphenols: A broad class of plant-derived compounds with multiple phenol units that act as antioxidants.
DPPH assay: A method that measures the ability of an extract to quench a stable free radical (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl).
FRAP assay: Ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay, which quantifies the ability to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+.
5-Lipoxygenase: An enzyme that catalyses the formation of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes from arachidonic acid.
Endothelium-dependent relaxation: Vasodilation mediated by endothelial release of factors such as nitric oxide.
References
- UHPLC–Q/Orbitrap/MS/MS Fingerprinting, Free Radical Scavenging, and Antimicrobial Activity of Tessaria absinthiodes (Hook. & Arn.) DC. (Asteraceae) Lyophilized Decoction from Argentina and Chile. Antioxidants (2019).
- UHPLC-MS Phenolic Fingerprinting, Aorta Endothelium Relaxation Effect, Antioxidant, and Enzyme Inhibition Activities of Azara dentata Ruiz & Pav Berries. Foods (2023).
- Metabolomic Analysis, Fast Isolation of Phenolic Compounds, and Evaluation of Biological Activities of the Bark From Weinmannia trichosperma Cav. (Cunoniaceae). Frontiers in Pharmacology (2020).
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