Author:
Das Aparajita,Giri Sarbani
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated in the body as a by-product of cellular enzymatic reactions. Under normal conditions, an antioxidant defense mechanism in the body regulates the level of ROS produced and maintains a redox balance. However, in cases of metabolic disorder, chronic inflammation, or prolonged exposure to xenobiotics and environmental stressors, this balance is disturbed and leads to the generation of oxidative stress. ROS can attack the structural integrity of the major macromolecules of the body such as nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins leading to the generation of pathologies including cancer. Polyphenols have emerged as potent nutraceuticals that can not only augment the body’s antioxidant defense system to combat the generated oxidative stress but can also selectively act as pro-oxidants in cancer cells, a dichotomous phenomenon that is being actively studied for implementation in cancer therapeutics. This chapter will present in a comprehensive manner the role of ROS in the pathogenesis of cancer and the application of pro-oxidant nature of polyphenols as chemotherapeutics.