Natural Radioprotectors on Current and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Radiation therapy is used as the primary treatment for cancer. Eighty percent of cancer patients require radiation therapy during treatment or for medical purposes. During treatment, radiation causes various biological defects in the cells. The prevalence of cytotoxicity limits the dose used for effective treatment. This method is designed to strike a balance between removing cancer cells and protecting normal tissues. Unfortunately, effective radiation is unavailable once acute toxicity occurs during clinical radiation therapy. Therefore, a lot of research interest is needed in the discovery of radioprotective drugs to accelerate treatment to reduce this toxicity (i.e., normal tissue toxicity to cancer cell death). Radiation protectors may be chemicals or drugs that minimize the damage caused due to radiation therapy in living organisms. The determination of effective and nontoxic radiation protection is an essential goal for radiation oncologists and basic radiobiologists. However, despite the advantages, many radioprotectors were found to have disadvantages which include cost, less duration, toxicity, and effect on the central nervous system. Therefore in recent years, the focus has been diverted to finding out optimal natural products to act as radioprotectors. Natural radiation protectors are plant compounds that protect normal (noncancerous) cells from damage from radiation therapy. Natural herbal products are nontoxic with proven therapeutic benefits and have long been used to treat various diseases. In conclusion, we find that there are various radiation protectors with different purposes and mechanisms of action.

Radioprotective properties of the kombucha-derived bacterial cellulose

“…Naturally occurring compounds offer significant advantages for radiation protection due to their increased safety compared to synthetic alternatives. Approximately 74 plant products have been tested for their radioprotective potential in various in vitro and in vivo studies [7]. However, herbs that possess antioxidant and radioprotective properties are used internally as dietary modulators instead of external, controllable protective shielding materials.…”

A Narrative Review of the Herbal Preparation of Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese, and Kampō Medicines Applied as Radioprotectors

“…Plant extracts are believed to possess radioprotective properties because they contain numerous active constituents, such as antioxidants, immunostimulants, and compounds with antimicrobial activity [4]. Consequently, the screening of herbal drugs has become a major focus in the search for new drug discoveries [5]. When exploring the use of natural radioprotectors, it is essential not only to study the active compounds or natural organisms individually but also to investigate preparations or combinations of compounds derived from natural sources [6].…”