Herbal Remedies for Combating Irradiation: a Green Anti-irradiation Approach

Abstract

Plants play important roles in human life not only as suppliers of oxygen but also as a fundamental resource to sustain the human race on this earthly plane. Plants also play a major role in our nutrition by converting energy from the sun during photosynthesis. In addition, plants have been used extensively in traditional medicine since time immemorial. Information in the biomedical literature has indicated that many natural herbs have been investigated for their efficacy against lethal irradiation. Pharmacological studies by various groups of investigators have shown that natural herbs possess significant radioprotective activity. In view of the immense medicinal importance of natural product based radioprotective agents, this review aims at compiling all currently available information on radioprotective agents from medicinal plants and herbs, especially the evaluation methods and mechanisms of action. In this review we particularly emphasize on ethnomedicinal uses, botany, phytochemistry, mechanisms of action and toxicology. We also describe modern techniques for evaluating herbal samples as radioprotective agents. The usage of herbal remedies for combating lethal irradiation is a green antiirradiation approach for the betterment of human beings without high cost, side effects and toxicity.

Protective and therapeutic potential of ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract and [6]‐gingerol in cancer: A comprehensive review

“…Such molecules can act as antioxidants, stimulate enzymatic activity, mimic hormones, interfere with DNA replication, and protect cells from radiation and other abnormal processes during tumorigenesis. In addition, studies have also highlighted the synergistic effects of plant‐based medicinal compounds as antiangiogenic agents when used in combination with other antineoplastic drugs (Lachumy et al, ).…”

Protective role ofAloe veraagainst X-ray induced testicular dysfunction

“…Plant extracts and natural products offer an alternative solution as radioprotectors due to their low toxicity at their optimum protective dose levels (Hosseinimehr et al, ; Lee et al, ; Mathur & Sharma, ). Several plant extracts have been screened for their radio protecting properties, mainly due to their antioxidant activity by which they effectively scavenge the highly reactive free radicals in cells and tissues generated during radiation exposure (Jagetia, ; Lachumy et al., ; Paul et al., ).…”

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“…Abana, cystone, geriforte, mentat, triphala are the major polyherbal formulations and their active ingredients and mode of action were pointed out in the Table 2. Reduces the symptoms of radiation sickness upon exposure to γ-radiation and provides protection to gastrointestinal and hematopoietic deaths [87][88][89][90] Semi-natural Compounds and Other Plant Species as Radio-protectors: There is some semi synthetic and many natural phytochemicals that show radioprotective effects are cited in the literature. Ascorbic acid, caffeine, chlorophyllin, ferulic acid, glutathione, glycyrrhizic acid, troxerutin, vanillin, Vitamin E and its derivatives, alpha-tocopherylandits derivatives 91 Linn, Pilea microphylla (Linn.) etc., [92][93][94][95][96] .…”