Potential Candidates of Natural Antioxidants From Herbs for Treating Lung Disorders: Focus on Redox Balance and Natural Products

Oxidative stress (OS) refers to an imbalance between oxidation and antioxidation processes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are normal byproducts of redox reactions occurring in vivo. When there is an overproduction of ROS or an insufficient antioxidant capacity, ROS accumulate in airway tissues and alveolar cells, potentially inducing OS. This condition can cause the migration and accumulation of activated inflammatory cells in the pulmonary microcirculation, airways, and alveoli, further enhancing lung inflammatory responses and triggering an inflammatory cascade. Inflammation inevitably results in pulmonary tissue damage and remodeling, leading to pulmonary diseases. Since the discovery of artemisinin, a…