1 Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2021, Vol XX, 1–24 doi:10.1093/jpp/rgab064 Review Advance Access publication 29 May 2021 © The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com Review Pharmacological intervention in oxidative stress as a therapeutic target in neurological disorders Sudhanshu Sharma, Dia Advani, Ankita Das, Nishtha Malhotra, Akanksha Khosla, Vanshika Arora, Ankita Jha, Megha Yadav, Rashmi K Ambasta, Pravir Kumar* Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Delhi 110042, India *Correspondence: Pravir Kumar, Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi 110042. Tel: +91-9818898622; Email: pravirkumar@dtu.ac.in; kpravir@gmail.com Received October 30, 2020; Accepted April 1, 2021. Abstract Objectives Oxidative stress is a major cellular burden that triggers reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants that modulate signalling mechanisms. Byproducts generated from this process govern the brain pathology and functions in various neurological diseases. As oxidative stress remains the key therapeutic target in neurological disease, it is necessary to explore the multiple routes that can signifcantly repair the damage caused due to ROS and consequently, neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase is the critical player of oxidative stress that can also be used as a therapeutic target to combat NDDs. Key fndings Several antioxidants signalling pathways are found to be associated with oxida- tive stress and show a protective effect against stressors by increasing the release of various cytoprotective enzymes and also exert anti-infammatory response against this oxidative damage. These pathways along with antioxidants and reactive species can be the defned targets to elim- inate or reduce the harmful effects of neurological diseases. Summary Herein, we discussed the underlying mechanism and crucial role of antioxidants in therapeutics together with natural compounds as a pharmacological tool to combat the cellular deformities cascades caused due to oxidative stress. Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/jpp/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jpp/rgab064/6288400 by guest on 29 January 2022