Affiliation:
1. Shridhar University, India
2. Shridhar University – Pilani, India
3. Banaras Hindu University, India
Abstract
In retrospect to the rise in the occurrence of ageing related disorders and the everlasting desire to overcome ageing, exploring the causes, mechanisms and therapies to curb ageing becomes relevant. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are commonly generated during normal growth and development. However abiotic and biotic stresses enhance the level of ROS which in turn pose the threat of oxidative stress. Ability to perceive ROS and to speedily commence antioxidant defenses is crucial for the survival as well as longevity of living cells. Therefore living organisms are bestowed with antioxidants to combat the damages caused by oxidative stress. This chapter aims to elucidate an overview of the process of ageing, generation and enhancement of reactive oxygen species, damages incurred by oxidative stress, its amelioration strategies, therapeutic and biotechnological potentials of antioxidants and various sources of bioactive compounds significant in retardation of aging process.