Phytochemical Antioxidants in Immune System Regulation: Mechanistic Insights and Translational Potential

Nyambura Achieng M.

School of Natural and Applied Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Phytochemical antioxidants, encompassing diverse plant-derived molecules such as polyphenols, carotenoids, organosulfur compounds, and certain alkaloids, represent a crucial interface between diet and immune system regulation. While their early recognition centered on the ability to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), contemporary evidence highlights far broader immunological roles. These compounds modulate redox-sensitive transcription factors such as Nrf2, enhance endogenous antioxidant defense, and suppress pro-inflammatory programs mediated by NF-κB. They further influence MAPK and JAK-STAT pathways, restrict inflammasome activation, and engage in bidirectional interactions with the gut microbiota, ultimately shaping both innate and adaptive immune responses. Preclinical data provide consistent mechanistic insights, demonstrating that compounds such as resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and lutein regulate cytokine production, macrophage polarization, and T cell differentiation. However, translating these findings into consistent clinical outcomes remains challenging due to low bioavailability, variable dosing regimens, pleiotropic biological effects, and heterogeneous clinical trial designs. This review therefore synthesizes mechanistic evidence, critically evaluates clinical data, and addresses pharmacokinetic, formulation, and safety considerations. It further outlines research priorities aimed at bridging laboratory discoveries with therapeutic applications, emphasizing the translational potential of phytochemical antioxidants as adjuncts in immune modulation and disease prevention.

Keywords: Phytochemical antioxidants, Immune regulation, Redox signaling, NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways, Translational potential

 

CITE AS: Nyambura Achieng M. (2026). Phytochemical Antioxidants in Immune System Regulation: Mechanistic Insights and Translational Potential. IDOSR JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 12(1):93-97. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JST/26/113.9397