Cellular oxidative stress

Cellular oxidative stress refers to an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) — commonly known as free radicals — and the capacity of cellular antioxidant systems to neutralize them. This imbalance leads to damage in cellular components such as DNA, proteins, and lipids, disrupting normal cell function and potentially triggering cell death pathways. While low levels of ROS are involved in essential physiological processes like redox signaling and immune defense, excessive ROS generation overwhelms protective mechanisms. Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders (such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's), cardiovascular diseases (like atherosclerosis), diabetes mellitus, inflammatory conditions, infection susceptibility, aging-related degeneration—and more. It is not itself a molecular target such as an enzyme or receptor but rather describes a cellular condition resulting from disrupted redox homeostasis. Because "cellular oxidative stress" does not refer to one specific molecule or protein but rather describes a biochemical state affecting many pathways simultaneously—often involving multiple enzymes (such as NADPH oxidases), antioxidants (like glutathione peroxidase), transcription factors (such as Nrf2)—it should not be considered an individual therapeutic target for drug development purposes. Instead therapies often aim at modulating this state indirectly by targeting upstream sources or downstream effects related to ROS production/clearance. In summary: "Cellular oxidative stress" is best understood as a pathological condition rather than a canonical druggable target molecule/receptor.

Other names

Oxidative stressCellular ROS imbalanceRedox imbalance