Reactive oxygen species (ROS) attack biological molecules, such as lipids, proteins, enzymes, DNA, and RNA, causing cellular and tissue damage. Hence, the disturbance of cellular antioxidant homeostasis can lead to oxidative stress and the onset of a plethora of diseases. Macroalgae, growing in stressful conditions under intense exposure to UV radiation, have developed protective mechanisms and have been recognized as an important source of secondary metabolites and macromolecules with antioxidant activity. In parallel, the fact that many algae can be cultivated in coastal areas ensures the provision of sufficient quantities of fine chemicals and biopolymers for commercial utilization, rendering them a viable source of antioxidants. This review focuses on the progress made concerning the discovery of antioxidant compounds derived from marine macroalgae, covering the literature up to December 2020. The present report presents the antioxidant potential and biogenetic origin of 301 macroalgal metabolites, categorized according to their chemical classes, highlighting the mechanisms of antioxidative action when known.

中文翻译：

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来自海洋大型藻类的具有抗氧化活性的代谢物

活性氧 (ROS) 攻击生物分子，如脂质、蛋白质、酶、DNA 和 RNA，导致细胞和组织损伤。因此，细胞抗氧化稳态的紊乱会导致氧化应激和多种疾病的发生。巨藻在强烈暴露于紫外线辐射的压力条件下生长，已形成保护机制，并已被公认为具有抗氧化活性的次级代谢产物和大分子的重要来源。与此同时，许多藻类可以在沿海地区种植这一事实确保了提供足够数量的精细化学品和生物聚合物用于商业用途，使它们成为抗氧化剂的可行来源。