Antioxidant pharmacological therapies for COPD

► Cigarette smoke causes oxidative stress in COPD. ► Antioxidants can modulate intracellular redox system. ► Thiols, enzyme mimetics, spin traps, and redox sensors are therapeutic agents. ► Lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation inhibitors block oxidative processes. ► Antioxidants have pharmacological beneficial effects in management of COPD.