Natural sources of exogenous antioxidants and their role in the prevention of chronic diseases
Keywords:
exogenous antioxidants, oxidative stress, chronic diseasesAbstract
Introduction: Antioxidants present in plant-derived products and foods encompass important biomedical applications. They play an important role in the prevention and complementary treatment of chronic diseases. Cuba has a plant biodiversity that harbors great potential for these compounds.
Objective: To delve deeper into the use of exogenous antioxidants from dietary sources in the prevention of chronic diseases.
Method: A documentary review was conducted, including articles from journals indexed in SciElo, Scopus, PubMed/Medline, and the Google Scholar search engine, from November 2024 to January 2025, related to exogenous antioxidants derived from plants and foods in the treatment of chronic diseases. Thirty-eight original articles were reviewed from 2019 to 2025, in Spanish and English, and Thirty were referenced. Search terms included exogenous antioxidants, antioxidant capacity, and chronic diseases. Regulations, ethics, and biodiversity rights were taken into account.
Development: Exogenous antioxidants are those we obtain from external sources, primarily through food and dietary supplements. These compounds neutralize free radicals and counteract oxidative stress. They are a fundamental link in preventing cellular damage linked to multiple chronic diseases and aging.
Conclusions: The consumption of exogenous antioxidants is a necessity for the body in the prevention of chronic diseases. Their inclusion in the diet is a physiological necessity to maintain long-term health and prevent cellular damage.
References
1. Moreno Morales SM, D Armas Regnault HT, Vince Manrique CA, Romero Ávila GM. Plantas medicinales con capacidad antioxidante estudiadas en los últimos 15 años. South Florida Journal of Development [Internet]. 2023 [acceso: 16/01/25];4(2): 929–946. Disponible en: https://ojs.Southfloridapublishing.com/ojs/index.php/jdev/article/ view/2518
2. Lago Abascal V, Almora Hernández E, González García K, Hernández Rivera Y, Echemendia Arana O, Monteagudo Borges R. Metabolitos secundarios y capacidad antioxidante de hojas secas de Moringa oleífera Lam. cultivada en Cuba. Revista Cubana de Plantas Medicinales [Internet]. 2021[acceso: 16/01/25];26: e1087. Disponible en:
https://www.medigraphic.com/pdfs/revcubplamed/cpm-2021/cpm211f.pdf
3. Ruiz Sabogal OL, Ramírez Sucre MO, Rodríguez IM, Avilés Betanzos KA, López Martínez A. Evaluación del contenido de compuestos fenólicos y capacidad antioxidante en subproductos de cítricos de la península de Yucatán. Rev. Fac. Cienc. Básicas [Internet]. 2024 [acceso:12/04/2025];19(1):87-90. Disponible en: https://revistas.umng.edu.co/index.php/rfcb/article/view/7397/6233
4. Llauradó Maury G, Méndez Rodríguez D, Hendrix S, Escalona Arranz JC, Fung Boix Y, Ochoa Pacheco A, et al. Antioxidants in Plants: A Valorization Potential Emphasizing the Need for the Conservation of Plant Biodiversity in Cuba. Antioxidants [Internet]. 2020[acceso: 16/01/25]; 9 (1048):1-36. Disponible en: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7693031/
5. Jaramillo Flores ME. Cocoa flavanols: Natural agents with attenuating effects on metabolic syndrome risk factors. Nutrients [Internet]. 2019[acceso: 16/01/25] ;11(4):751. Disponible en: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6520706/
6. Domínguez Perles R, Baenas N, García Viguera C. New insights in (poly)phenolic compounds: From dietary sources to health evidence Foods. [Internet]. 2020[acceso: 16/01/25];9(5):543. Disponible en: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7278575/
7. González Fernández R, Rodríguez Leblanch E, Macías Peacok B, Mira Toujague H, Fong Lores O. Potencialidades farmacológicas de plantas medicinales cubanas como base para la conservación de su biodiversidad. Orange Journal [Internet]. 2022,4(7): 4-15. Disponible en: https://orangejournal.info/index.php/orange/article/view/38/105
8. Unuofin JO, Lebelo S.L. Antioxidant effects and mechanisms of medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes: An updated review. Oxid. Med. Cell. Longev [Internet]. 2020 [acceso:16/01/25]; 1356893:1-36. Disponible en: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/1356893
9. Sarif Swallah M, Sun H, Affoh R, Fu H, Yu H. Antioxidant potential overviews of secondary metabolites (polyphenols) in fruits. Int. J. Food Sci [Internet]. 2020 [acceso: 16/01/25] ;9081686: 1-8. Disponible en: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7229537/
10. Cassidy L, Fernandez F, Johnson JB, Naiker M, Owoola AG, Broszczak DA. Oxidative stress in alzheimer’s disease: A review on emergent natural polyphenolic therapeutics. Complement. Ther. Med [Internet]. 2020 [acceso: 16/01/25]; 49:102294. Disponible en: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229919 315237?via%3Dihub
11. Godos J, Vitale M, Micek A, Ray S, Martini D, Del Río D et al. Dietary polyphenol intake, blood plessure,and hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Antioxidants [Internet]. 2019 [acceso:16/10/25];8(6):152. Disponible en: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6616647/
12. Coronado M, Vega León S, Gutiérrez R, Vázquez M, Radilla C. Antioxidantes: perspectiva actual para la salud humana. Revista Chilena de Nutrición [Internet]. 2015 [acceso: 16/01/25]; 42(2): 206-212. Disponible en: https://www.scielo.cl/pdf/rchnut/v42n2/art14.pdf
13. Młynarska E, Hajdys J, Czarnik W, Fularski P, Leszto K, Majchrowicz G, Lisińska W, Rysz J, Franczyk B. The Role of Antioxidants in the Therapy of Cardiovascular Diseases-A Literature Review. Nutrients [Internet].2024[acceso:16/10/25]; 16(6): 2587. Disponible en: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11357572/
14. Uddin MS, Mamun A, Kabir MT, Ahmad J Jeandet P, Sarwar MS, et al. Nueroprotective role of polyphenols against oxidative stress-mediated neurodegeneration. Eur J Pharmacol [Internet]. 2020 [acceso:16/10/25]; 886: 173412. Disponible en: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0014299920305 045?via%3Dihub
15. Okeahunwa Ayoka T, Ezema BO, Nwoye Eze Ch, Okeke Nnadi Ch. Antioxidants for the Prevention and Treatment of Non-communicable Diseases. Journal of Exploratory Research in Pharmacology [Internet]. 2022 [acceso:26/10/25]; 7(3):179–189. Disponible en: https://publinestorage.blob.core.windows.net/journals/JERP.2022.7(3).179.00028.Thecla%20Okeahunwa%20Ayoka.pdf
16. Roy A, Khan A, Ahmad I, Alghamdi S, Rajab BS, Babalghith AO, Alshahrani MY, Islam S, Islam MR. Flavonoids a Bioactive Compound from Medicinal Plants and Its Therapeutic Applications. [Internet] Biomed Res Int.2022[acceso: 16/03/25]; 2022(5445291):1-9. Disponible en: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9192232/
17. Forbes Hernández TY, Betancourt G, Rodríguez, García QhaliKay MA. Capacidad antioxidante total de la dieta vs. balance redox Revista de Ciencias de la Salud. [Internet]. 2020[acceso:16/01/25];4(1):35-48. Disponible en: https://revistas.utm.edu.ec/index.php/QhaliKay/article/view/2711/2805
18. Toruño Mayorga ML, Ríos Carcache GR. Vegetales consumidos con capacidad antioxidantes por los habitantes del barrio 19 de julio, primera etapa en el periodo comprendido de mayo- diciembre del año 2022. [Tesis Grado]. Nicaragua: Universidad Nacional Autónoma De Nicaragua, León. Facultad De Ciencias Químicas Carrera De Farmacia; 2023. [acceso: 16/01/25]. Disponible en: http://riul.unanleon.edu.ni:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/9830/1/253685.pdf
19. Agati G., Azzarello E., Pollastri S., Tattini M. Flavonoides como antioxidantes en plantas: ubicación y significado funcional. [Internet] Plant Science. 2012[acceso: 16/01/25]; 196:67–76. Disponible en:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168945212001586?via%3Dihb
20. Ojo OA, Adeyemo TR, Iyobhebhe M, Adams MD, Asaleye RM, Evbuomwan IO, et al. Beta vulgaris L. beetroot protects against iron-induced liver injury by restoring antioxidant pathways and regulating cellular functions. Scientific Reports [Internet]. 2024 [acceso: 16/03/25]; 14 (1): 25205. Disponible en: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11502780/
21. Mirmiran, P, Houshialsadat Z, Gaeini Z, Bahadoran Z, Azizi F. Propiedades funcionales de la remolacha (Beta vulgaris) en el manejo de enfermedades cardiometabólicas. Nutr. Metab [Internet]. 2020 [acceso: 16/03/25]; 17(3): 1-15. Disponible en: https://nutritionandmetabolism.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/ 10.1186/s12986-019-0421-0.pdf
22. Mejía Reyes JD, García Cabrera KE, Velázquez Ovalle G, Vázquez Ovando A. Antioxidant capacity: concepts, quantification methods and use for tropical fruits and derived products characterization. Revista Colombiana de Investigaciones Agroindustriales [Internet]. 2021 [acceso:14/04/ 2025]; 9 (1): 9-33. Disponible en: https://doi.org /10.23850/24220582.4023
23. Kim JS, Lim JH, Cho SK. Effect of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory on bioactive components of carrot (Daucus carota L.) leaves from Jeju Island. Appl Biol Chem [Internet]. 2023 [acceso:14/04/2025]; 66(34):1-11. Disponible en: https://applbiolchem.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13765-023-00786-2
24. Ayubi N, Syafawi A, Komaini A, Putri DRS, Ilham I, Mario DT, Padmasari DF, Wibawa JC, Jr. PBD. El potencial de los compuestos polifenólicos de las uvas para reducir el estrés oxidativo y la inflamación después del ejercicio: revisión sistemática. Retos [Internet]. 2025. [acceso: 15/04/2025]; 64:615-28. Disponible en: https://revistaretos.org/index.php/retos/article/view/110648/81759
25. Bozinou E, Pappas IS, Patergiannakis I-S, Chatzimitakos T, Palaiogiannis D, Athanasiadis V, Lalas SI, Chatzilazarou A, Makris DP. Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Properties of Onion Skin Extracts. Sustainability [Internet]. 2023 [acceso: 15/04/2025]; 15(11599):1-18. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511599
26. Hussain A, Kausar T, Din A, Murtaza A, Jamil MA, Noreen A, et al. Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) Peel, Flesh and Seeds Powders. [Internet] Journal of Biology, [Internet]Agriculture and Healthcare. 2021 [acceso: 16/01/25];11(6):42-51. Disponible en: https://core.ac.uk/reader/395416154
27. Apace Dávila B. “Efecto del germinado en la capacidad antioxidante y compuestos fenólicos del grano del maíz morado (Zea mayz L.)”. [Tesis de grado]. Perú: Universidad Nacional De Huancavelica. Facultad De Ciencias Agrarias. Huancavelica; 2022. [acceso: 16/01/25]. Disponible en: https://apirepositorio.unh.edu.pe/server/api/core/bitstreams/1b1b8168-6344-48f3-ba5d-11501fc325c7/content
28. Vega Contreras NA, Torres Salazar ML. Evaluación de compuestos fenólicos de (Citrus sinensis) y su capacidad antioxidante. Revista Ciencia En Desarrollo [Internet]. 2021[acceso:16/01/25];12(2):109-117. Disponible en: http://www.scielo.org.co/pdf/cide/v12n2/0121-7488-cide-12-02-109.pdf
29. Hou S, Ma D, Wu S, Hui Q, Hao Z. Morinda citrifolia L.: A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Effects, and Antioxidant Potential. Antioxidants. [Internet]. 2025 [acceso:16/10/25]; 14(3): 295.Disponible en: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/3/295
30. Moreno Morales SM, D´Armas Regnault HT, Vinces Manrique CA, Loján Avellán MC. Plantas medicinales antioxidantes: Acuáticas y terrestres. En: Joaquím de Fleitas DR. Las ciencias biológicas y la construcción de nuevos paradigmas de conocimiento I. [Internet]. Brasil: Atenas Editora; 2023 [acceso: 31/10/25]. p.65-100. Disponible en: https://educapes.capes.gov.br/bitstream/capes/739480/1/las-ciencias-.pdf
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Maura Isaías García Sánchez, Rachel Muñoz Hernández, Liuba Luisa Arteche Hidalgo, José Luis Pérez Alejo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The authors retain copyright and all unrestricted publication rights.
Medicoquirúrgicas Research is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) and follows the SciELO Publishing Schema (SciELO PS) for publishing in XML format.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material.
The license cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do this in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
Non-Commercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
No Additional Restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from making any use permitted by the license.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where their use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all the permissions you need for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
