Molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress in stroke and cancer

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a silent participant in all chronic progressive pathology and degenerative disorders. Neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment are caused by increased imbalanced oxidative stress and down-regulated natural anti-oxidant combat mechanisms. Cancer is the end result of cell malfunction and the activation of tumour-specific genes, which are regulated by specific geneomolecular pathways. Acute stroke is the pathology of oxidative stress and a decrease in the body's combating defence mechanisms. Oxidative stress, which results from an imbalance between oxidative and antioxidative activities in cells, has been linked to the aetiology of a number of chronic degenerative diseases, including cancer and stroke. The harmful effects of ROS and their role in lesion progression after cancer and ischaemic stroke are undeniable; however, the therapeutic usefulness of anti-oxidants in this scenario remains debatable. In this review, we have summarised the potent molecular mechanisms which play a vital role through activation of various pathways and associated advanced targeted therapeutics to combat cancer and stroke like chronic pathologies.

Keywords

• Anti-oxidants
• Autophagy
• Cancer
• Stroke
• Oxidative stress