Bioantioxidants

A retrospective analysis was given to the main phases in research activities dedicated to bioantioxidants with overview of the main problems and concepts addressed by researchers in the various time frames. The role of bioantioxidants in normal physiological processes and in development of pathologies was discussed. Particular emphasis was placed on the contribution from kinetic characteristics of antioxidants (reaction rate constants) into providing their biological activity, as well as to the structure - activity relationships, essential for directed search for preparations. The role of hybrid molecules that extend the spectrum of biological activities and application fields of antioxidant preparations was discussed in separate. Special consideration was given to the prospects of application of antioxidants in ultra-low doses. They exhibit both features typical for all dietary supplements in ultra-low doses and those specific to bioantioxidants, thereby complicating interpretation of the relevant findings. The inner scientific logics of development of bioantioxidant research activities were traced.