Anesthesia and surgical interventions may induce cognitive impairments, such as postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) [1]. These dysfunctions particularly affect the elderly population [2] and increase morbidity and mortality thus representing a major burden for the healthcare system [1].

Acute pancreatitis (AP) can lead to severe body damage, including a systemic inflammatory response and multiorgan failure, and current therapies rely heavily on symptomatic treatment and supportive care, with a lack of targeted therapeutic strategies for specific pathologic processes.

Sickle cell disorder (SCD) remains a disease of public interest, accounting for a significant number of deaths, especially in low and middle-income countries in Africa. Despite years of intensive studies, its cure remains a subject of ongoing investigation.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), as a common complication of diabetes mellitus, is one of the leading causes for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the world. Inhibitors of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system is widely used in DKD, but many patients still progressed to ESRD, and progress in the treatment of DKD is limited in recent years, thus more effective ways to prevent or treat DKD are necessary. Chronic hyperglycemia can induce the imbalance between the excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Increasing evidences indicated oxidative stress acts as a crucial role in the initiation and progression of DKD. It is suggested that the restoration of the balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant defense may be a hopeful drug target to prevent or treat DKD. Our meta-analysis showed that the antioxidant vitamins can benefit kidney function and systolic blood pressure in patients with diabetes and albuminuria.

A 2006 publication entitled ‘Catalytic Antioxidants to Treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis’ summarized the therapeutic effects of metalloporphyrins (MPs) and metallotexaphyrins (MTs) in the G93A superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)