Production of Reactive Oxygen Species, Its Effect, Drugs and Plant Extract Used as an Antioxidant, Chelator on Thalassemic Patient: a Review

βThalassemia is an inherited genetic disorder which is caused by different kinds of mutations in the HBB gene in chromosome 11. Due to several types of mutation in βgene, globin chains cannot synthesise completely and free α-globin is highly unstable and readily precipitates bound heme and iron. In βthalassemia these precipitated iron, repeated blood transfusion and increased gastrointestinal iron absorption lead to iron overload in the body. The increased free iron in blood is responsible for the formation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). If the production of ROS exceeds the capacity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants systems to scavenge these species or if these protective systems are compromised, then oxidative stress occurs. This review summarizes the production of ROS, its effect and different drug and plant extract used as an antioxidant as well as chelating agent in thalassemic patient.