Recent studies have shown that
antioxidant enzyme expression and activity are drastically reduced in most human
skin diseases, leading to propagation of oxidative stress and continuous
disease progression. However,
antioxidants, an endogenous defense system against
reactive oxygen species (ROS), can be induced by exogenous sources, resulting in protective effects against associated oxidative injury. Many studies have shown that the induction of
antioxidants is an effective strategy to combat various disease states. In one approach, a SOD mimetic was applied topically to mouse skin in the two-stage skin
carcinogenesis model. This method effectively reduced oxidative injury and proliferation without interfering with apoptosis. In another approach,
Protandim, a combination of 5 well-studied medicinal plants, was given via dietary administration and significantly decreased
tumor incidence and multiplicity by 33% and 57%, respectively. These studies suggest that alterations in
antioxidant response may be a novel approach to
chemoprevention. This paper focuses on how regulation of
antioxidant expression and activity can be modulated in
skin disease and the potential clinical implications of
antioxidant-based
therapies.