Antioxidant pathway modulation

"Antioxidant pathway modulation" is a collective term for pharmacological or genetic interventions that alter the activity of multiple antioxidant pathways, such as upregulation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (e.g. superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase), modulation of transcription factors (e.g. NRF2, NF-κB, AP-1), or direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species by non-enzymatic antioxidants (e.g. vitamin C, vitamin E)[2][4][3]. These pathways are critical for maintaining cellular redox homeostasis, preventing oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids, and are implicated in a wide range of diseases[2][3]. Because "antioxidant pathway modulation" does not refer to a single gene, protein, or defined molecular target, it is not a canonical drug target in the sense of a receptor, enzyme, or transporter, but rather a broad mechanistic strategy encompassing multiple distinct targets and biological processes[1][2][3][4].

Induction of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (e.g. NRF2 activators); Scavenging of reactive oxygen species; Inhibition of pro-oxidant enzymes