Abstract

Throughout the cell cycle, the cells are exposed to various endogenous and exogenous factors that could damage the cell at the molecular or extracellular level, leading to its death. Cells can undergo oxidative stress when they are exposed to repeated doses of oxidants produced by metabolism or the result of exposure to toxic chemicals, radiations, nanoparticles, harmful smoke, etc. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) or reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are examples of these oxidants, and the body's primary defense, i.e., the antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant molecules, attempt to scavenge them. Repair mechanisms can protect the DNA to some extent even when they are escaped from this defense system. However, damaged cells can also choose to die in different ways. Different types of cell death can be caused by exposure to different types of nanoparticles, nanostructures, toxic molecules, oxidants, and radiation. This mini-review will discuss reported types of cell death in the literature such as necrosis, necroptosis, secondary necrosis, apoptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, oncosis, and other eight types of cell death. The different pathways of these types of cell deaths are also described in detail mentioning the differences of enzymes involved in these pathways.

Graphical Abstract