Denham Harman Free Radical Aging
In 1956, Denham Harman articulated the free radical theory of aging which states that ‘oxygen free radicals that are formed endogenously in live cells result in a pattern of cumulative damage’(9). The theory is also implied that the target of those radicals in the cellular system is random. In live cells, DNA, protein and lipid are targets for the free radical’s invasion. Damaging any of those vital macromolecules in live cell affects the physiology of the cell and may lead to apoptosis and cell death. Cell injury caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), radicals such as hydroxyl radical (OH∙) and the nonradicals like hydrogen peroxide H2O2, appears to be a measure contributor for many aging diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular
diseases and brain dysfunction (10, 11). Antioxidants are substances that are able to scavenge the ROS and minimize their damaging effect; therefore it could be major tools in disease treatment and prevention especially the degenerative diseases. The imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in the favor of the former in cellular system is termed oxidative stress (OS) (12). All mentioned above have led workers in the field to pay great attention to study the role of antioxidants, mainly the natural occurrence ones, in shifting cell physiology and increasing its life span. In addition, detecting new potent antioxidants in the nature is a priority for many of researchers in this field. Here we will use advanced methods to identify the In Vitro antioxidant potential and the protective effect of some natural occurred substances against DNA oxidative damage and study their role in improving quality of human cells, particularly sperm before processing them for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). Our selection for those natural products will not be random, but based on literature reviews, our pilot studies and preliminary results and inherited information that we have collected.
diseases and brain dysfunction (10, 11). Antioxidants are substances that are able to scavenge the ROS and minimize their damaging effect; therefore it could be major tools in disease treatment and prevention especially the degenerative diseases. The imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in the favor of the former in cellular system is termed oxidative stress (OS) (12). All mentioned above have led workers in the field to pay great attention to study the role of antioxidants, mainly the natural occurrence ones, in shifting cell physiology and increasing its life span. In addition, detecting new potent antioxidants in the nature is a priority for many of researchers in this field. Here we will use advanced methods to identify the In Vitro antioxidant potential and the protective effect of some natural occurred substances against DNA oxidative damage and study their role in improving quality of human cells, particularly sperm before processing them for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). Our selection for those natural products will not be random, but based on literature reviews, our pilot studies and preliminary results and inherited information that we have collected.