Oxidative stress regulators

Oxidative stress regulators represent a broad functional category of molecular entities, including enzymes, transcription factors, and small molecules, that maintain cellular redox homeostasis by balancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defense [3, 12]. The master regulator in humans is the transcription factor Nrf2 (NFE2L2), which induces the expression of cytoprotective genes such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) [3, 9, 14]. Other critical components include enzymes like catalase and glutathione peroxidase that directly neutralize hydrogen peroxide and lipid hydroperoxides [1, 14]. Dysregulation of these systems leads to oxidative stress, causing damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids, which is implicated in cancer, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular diseases [3, 12, 15]. Pharmacological strategies include Nrf2 activators like bardoxolone methyl and dimethyl fumarate, as well as ROS scavengers and enzyme mimetics like edaravone [6, 13, 14]. However, therapeutic development is challenged by the need to avoid "reductive stress," which occurs when excessive antioxidant activity disrupts essential physiological ROS signaling [3, 7].

Other names

Antioxidant defense systemRedox regulatorsROS scavengersAntioxidant enzymesRedox signaling molecules

Activation of the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway to induce antioxidant gene expression; direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS); inhibition of ROS-generating enzymes such as NADPH oxidase or xanthine oxidase; and mimetic activity of endogenous enzymes like superoxide dismutase or glutathione peroxidase [3, 6, 14].