In addition, some nonenzymatic processes also contribute to ROS generation, especially when oxygen is either exposed to ionizing radiations or reacts with organic compounds. ROS are produced due to exogenous and endogenous sources. Exogenous sources of ROS include inflammation, immune cell activation, infection, ischemia, cancer, mental stress, excessive exercise and aging [
4,
10]. Exogeneous ROS generation relies on exposure to radiation, heavy metals [
11], environmental pollutants [
12], certain drugs (bleomycin, cyclosporine, gentamycin, tacrolimus) [
13], toxic chemical and solvents [
13], food processing (used oil and fat and smoked meat) [
14], cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, among other [
10]. ROS are essential part of several biological processes when they remain at low or moderate concentrations. For instance, these ROS are obligatory for synthesis of some cellular structures, which have vital role in the host defense system, i.e. in the defence of pathogens [
14,
15]. In fact, macrophages synthesize and store ROS to kill pathogenic microbes [
16]. The critical role of ROS in the immune system is well recognized as patients unable to produce ROS are more prone to pathological infections [
17]. In addition, ROS are also integrated in an array of cellular signaling pathways as they play a regulatory role in intracellular signaling cascades, including endothelial cells, fibroblasts, cardiac myocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells and thyroid tissue. Nitric oxide (NO) is considered as a key cell-to-cell messenger, which plays a vital role in cell signaling and is intricately involved in several processes, such as blood flow modulation, thrombosis and normal neural functioning [
18]. Nitric oxide also demonstrates close association with nonspecific host defense in eliminating the tumor cells, as well as intracellular pathogens [
19]. In addition to beneficial effects, ROS also pose several negative impacts by affecting cellular structure, including plasma membrane, proteins, lipoprotein, proteins and nucleic acids (deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA; ribonucleic acid, RNA). Oxidative stress is a result of ROS imbalance between its rate of generation and rate of clearance within the cell [
20]. These excess ROS thus cause damage in the plasma membrane by lipid peroxidation and form malondialdehyde and conjugated dienes which are cytotoxic and mutagenic in nature. Being a chain reaction cascade, lipid peroxidation spreads very rapidly, damaging a significant number of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, hence hampering their functionalities [
21]. In summary, ROS impart beneficial effects when they are maintained at low or moderate concentrations while they negatively affect several cellular structures at higher concentrations.