Reactive oxygen species scavenging system (ROS scavenging system)

The reactive oxygen species scavenging system comprises an integrated network of enzymes (such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and low-molecular-weight compounds (such as ascorbic acid, glutathione, tocopherols, and flavonoids) that together defend biological systems against the potentially harmful effects of ROS, which are generated during normal metabolism and amplified in pathological conditions. This system maintains physiological ROS levels necessary for cell signaling while preventing oxidative damage linked to inflammation, aging, cancer, and neurodegeneration. Given that it is not a singular molecule, but a complex and distributed system, it is not considered a direct therapeutic target in the way a receptor, enzyme, or transporter would be. The "reactive oxygen species scavenging system" is not a specific molecular target but a broad functional category comprising multiple molecular entities. For drug discovery or molecular biology, this entry would require mapping to specific components (such as "Superoxide dismutase", "Catalase", or "Glutathione peroxidase") for actionable structured data.

Other names

Antioxidant defense systemAntioxidant machineryROS elimination system(Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant system)

Chemical reduction or conversion of ROS to less reactive species; Catalytic breakdown of superoxide/hydrogen peroxide (SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase mimetics); Restoration of redox balance; Enhancement of endogenous antioxidant capacity