Current Use of Fenton Reaction in Drugs and Food

Molecules. 2022 Aug 25;27(17):5451. doi: 10.3390/molecules27175451.

Abstract

Iron is the most abundant mineral in the human body and plays essential roles in sustaining life, such as the transport of oxygen to systemic organs. The Fenton reaction is the reaction between iron and hydrogen peroxide, generating hydroxyl radical, which is highly reactive and highly toxic to living cells. "Ferroptosis", a programmed cell death in which the Fenton reaction is closely involved, has recently received much attention. Furthermore, various applications of the Fenton reaction have been reported in the medical and nutritional fields, such as cancer treatment or sterilization. Here, this review summarizes the recent growing interest in the usefulness of iron and its biological relevance through basic and practical information of the Fenton reaction and recent reports.

Keywords: Fenton reaction; antioxidants; cancer; hydrogen peroxide; hygiene; iron; nanomedicine; oxidative stress; polyphenol; vitamin C.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ferroptosis*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Hydroxyl Radical* / metabolism
  • Iron / therapeutic use
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Hydroxyl Radical
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Iron

Grants and funding

This research received no funding.