Antioxidants perform an important role in the maintenance of the integrity of the living organisms. Recently, great attention has been given to antioxidants by a reason of their medical use. It is due to the association of many human diseases with oxidative stress. The present study briefly surveys the types of antioxidants, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and describes the basic mechanisms of their activity. The application of antioxidants in the therapy of the injury caused by sulfur mustard, a vesicant type chemical warfare agent introduced in World War I, is also given.

        Key words: antioxidant – free radical – sulfur mustard