Leveraging natural antioxidants in disease prevention: Investigating the role of medicinal herbs in reducing oxidative stress and chronic disease

Allison, Mariam Oladayo and Ukor, Vivian Chioma and Ibrahim, Yusuf Adewale and Adeyemo, Jerry Adesola (2025) Leveraging natural antioxidants in disease prevention: Investigating the role of medicinal herbs in reducing oxidative stress and chronic disease. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 25 (2). pp. 2720-2733. ISSN 2581-9615

Oxidative stress causes damage to free radicals, which are associated with the chronic conditions of cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and even neurological processes. Antioxidants are the primary stress relievers of oxidative stress and serve as the body’s defense mechanism to reduce the damage inflicted. Herbs rich in antioxidants can serve as an effective mediatory option against oxidative stress and chronic diseases. Traditional medicine has been employing herbal medicine long before modern scientific research started, and the discovery of bioactive compounds made people pay attention to them. Herbs, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamins, need to be studied because they mediate several things, and their antioxidant activity saves cells from destructors: free radicals. Targeting oxidative stress at the cellular and molecular level, this research is centered around specific polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins, and herbs with known antioxidant effects. With the combination of clinical, in vitro research, and animal studies, the significant potential these herbs have in combatting oxidative complications is assessed. Furthermore, it examines the combined effects of several herbs with antioxidant properties, which provides an innovative perspective on their application in preventive medicine. The consideration of dietary practices that include herbal medicine as one component of a more comprehensive strategy to mitigate the emergence of chronic conditions is also examined. In summary, this research highlights the potential of herbs as natural sources of antioxidants to decrease oxidative stress and enhance health and longevity. We are also attempting to improve the prescription of these herbs for modern purposes of disease prevention.