Abstract

persistent oxidative stress, linking hepatic, neurological, and reproductive dysfunction. Oxidative stress arises from 
an imbalance between reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and endogenous antioxidant defenses, 
leading to lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation. The liver, as a 
metabolic hub, becomes particularly vulnerable to ROS-induced fibrosis and lipid dysregulation, while neuronal 
tissues suffer oxidative neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Similarly, excessive ROS impairs gametogenesis, 
hormone synthesis, and fertility in both sexes. Antioxidants play a central protective role by neutralizing ROS, 
activating endogenous defense systems such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, and 
modulating inflammatory and metabolic pathways. Natural compounds including polyphenols, flavonoids, and 
vitamins restore redox balance, enhance mitochondrial stability, and prevent fibrotic progression. However, 
challenges such as poor bioavailability, dose-dependent effects, and individual variability limit clinical translation. 
Emerging strategies involving nanoformulations, targeted delivery, and integrative therapeutic approaches hold 
promise for optimizing antioxidant efficacy. Strengthening the antioxidant axis thus represents a unifying 
therapeutic avenue to protect metabolic, hepatic, neural, and reproductive health, underscoring the pivotal role of 
redox homeostasis in systemic physiological resilience.