Therapeutic Antioxidants and the Immune Response: Mechanistic Interactions and Clinical Implications

Kansiime Agnes

Department of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry Kampala International University Uganda

Email: agnes.kansiime.2974@studwc.kiu.ac.ug

ABSTRACT

Therapeutic antioxidants have emerged as promising modulators of immune function by mitigating oxidative stress and influencing inflammatory pathways. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), when produced in excess, can damage cellular components including DNA, lipids, and proteins, triggering inflammation and impairing immune cell function. By scavenging ROS and restoring redox balance, antioxidants help preserve cellular integrity, support immune cell viability, and regulate signaling pathways that shape both innate and adaptive immune responses. Clinical studies indicate that supplementation with antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, carotenoids, and polyphenolic compounds can enhance immune parameters – including lymphocyte proliferation, delayed‑ type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses, and innate immune cell activity. Moreover, in contexts of heightened inflammation or infection, antioxidant therapy may reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production, attenuate tissue damage, and improve clinical outcomes. However, because ROS also serve essential signaling roles for microbial killing and immune activation, indiscriminate or high-dose antioxidant use may blunt beneficial immune responses or impair immunosurveillance. This review explores mechanistic interactions between antioxidants and immune pathways and examines clinical implications for their use in disease prevention, infection control, and management of inflammatory disorders. Recognizing the dual – and sometimes opposing – roles of ROS, a nuanced application of antioxidants may offer therapeutic benefit, particularly in conditions characterized by oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.

Keywords: Antioxidants, Immune response, Oxidative stress, Inflammation, Immunomodulation

CITE AS: Kansiime Agnes (2026). Therapeutic Antioxidants and the Immune Response: Mechanistic Interactions and Clinical Implications. IAA  Journal of Applied Sciences 14(1):44-48.

https://doi.org/10.59298/IAAJAS/2026/1414448