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Ashraf MV, Khan S, Misri S, Gaira KS, Rawat S, Rawat B, Khan MAH, Shah AA, Asgher M, Ahmad S. High-Altitude Medicinal Plants as Promising Source of Phytochemical Antioxidants to Combat Lifestyle-Associated Oxidative Stress-Induced Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:975. [PMID: 39204080 PMCID: PMC11357401 DOI: 10.3390/ph17080975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress, driven by reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur species (ROS, RNS, RSS), poses a significant threat to cellular integrity and human health. Generated during mitochondrial respiration, inflammation, UV exposure and pollution, these species damage cells and contribute to pathologies like cardiovascular issues, neurodegeneration, cancer, and metabolic syndromes. Lifestyle factors exert a substantial influence on oxidative stress levels, with mitochondria emerging as pivotal players in ROS generation and cellular equilibrium. Phytochemicals, abundant in plants, such as carotenoids, ascorbic acid, tocopherols and polyphenols, offer diverse antioxidant mechanisms. They scavenge free radicals, chelate metal ions, and modulate cellular signalling pathways to mitigate oxidative damage. Furthermore, plants thriving in high-altitude regions are adapted to extreme conditions, and synthesize secondary metabolites, like flavonoids and phenolic compounds in bulk quantities, which act to form a robust antioxidant defence against oxidative stress, including UV radiation and temperature fluctuations. These plants are promising sources for drug development, offering innovative strategies by which to manage oxidative stress-related ailments and enhance human health. Understanding and harnessing the antioxidant potential of phytochemicals from high-altitude plants represent crucial steps in combating oxidative stress-induced disorders and promoting overall wellbeing. This study offers a comprehensive summary of the production and physio-pathological aspects of lifestyle-induced oxidative stress disorders and explores the potential of phytochemicals as promising antioxidants. Additionally, it presents an appraisal of high-altitude medicinal plants as significant sources of antioxidants, highlighting their potential for drug development and the creation of innovative antioxidant therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Vikas Ashraf
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, Jammu and Kashmir, India;
| | - Sajid Khan
- Department of Botany, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, Jammu and Kashmir, India;
| | - Surya Misri
- Section of Microbiology, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, Jammu and Kashmir, India;
| | - Kailash S. Gaira
- Sikkim Regional Centre, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Pangthang, Gangtok 737101, Sikkim, India; (K.S.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Sandeep Rawat
- Sikkim Regional Centre, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Pangthang, Gangtok 737101, Sikkim, India; (K.S.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Balwant Rawat
- School of Agriculture, Graphic Era University, Dehradun 24800, Utarakhand, India;
| | - M. A. Hannan Khan
- Department of Zoology, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, Jammu and Kashmir, India; (M.A.H.K.); (A.A.S.)
| | - Ali Asghar Shah
- Department of Zoology, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, Jammu and Kashmir, India; (M.A.H.K.); (A.A.S.)
| | - Mohd Asgher
- Department of Botany, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, Jammu and Kashmir, India;
| | - Shoeb Ahmad
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, Jammu and Kashmir, India;
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