L’effet antioxydant des plantes médicinales sur le stress oxydatif.

Abstract

Oxidative stress, the main initial cause of several diseases, corresponds to an imbalance between the body's antioxidant defenses and the production of pro-oxidant molecules (reactive oxygen species, in particular). These reactive oxygen species produced by cellular respiration, are also generated during immune reactions and under the effect of environmental oxidants, such as tobacco or pollution. The intake of antioxidants in our diet is likely to improve the level of antioxidant defenses and therefore prevent the onset of pathologies associated with oxidative stress. As such, the use of medicinal plants with antioxidant properties has been particularly studied. The action and effectiveness of medicinal plants derive from their chemical compounds (polyphenols), which are considered a major group of compounds that contribute to the antioxidant activities of plants as captelated pro-oxidant molecules.For a good understanding of the phenomenon of oxidative stress, we will detail in this work, the cellular oxidant and antioxidant systems and will present an example of natural antioxidant (medicinal plants). We will also discuss studies that seem to highlight these plants as a means to combat oxidative stress