Plants as a Source of Potential Antioxidants and Their Effective Nanoformulations

Abstract

Antioxidants act as weapons to neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals that are produced in the living systems during cellular activities and are responsible for a number of diseases. Plants are the major source of antioxidants in the form of enzymatic as well as non-enzymatic which is proved by several pieces of research on various natural products that have the potent capability to mimic the deleterious effects of free radicals. Among several antioxidants, the non-enzymatic antioxidants such as polyphenols, vitamins, carotenoids, glutathione, etc. have been isolated and screened for anti-oxidant properties from several food sources. Unfortunately, the effects of these natural antioxidants are limited due to their reduced absorption, hindrance in crossing the cell membranes and its degradation in the pathway during delivery, etc. To overcome these troubles and for effective, targeted delivery of antioxidants, its gradual and sustained release, nanoformulations of natural antioxidants are the key players in the enhancement of effectiveness and their release at the specific targeted site in the treatment of several diseases. This review focuses on the current advancements in the field of natural antioxidants and their nanoformulations with potent and enhanced action in minimizing the damaging effects of free radicals.