• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.265-275
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• 2018

Cancer is a complex multifaceted illness that affects different patients in discrete ways. For a number of cancers the use of chemotherapy has become standard practice. Chemotherapy is a use of cytostatic drugs to cure cancer. Cytostatic agents not only affect cancer cells but also affect the growth of normal cells; leading to side effects. Because of this, radiotherapy gained importance in treating cancer. Slaughtering of cancerous cells by radiotherapy depends on the radiosensitivity of the tumor cells. Efforts to improve the therapeutic ratio have resulted in the development of compounds that increase the radiosensitivity of tumor cells or protect the normal cells from the effects of radiation. Amifostine is the only chemical radioprotector approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but due to its side effect and toxicity, use of this compound was also failed. Hence the use of herbal radioprotectors bearing pharmacological properties is concentrated due to their low toxicity and efficacy. Notably, in silico methods can expedite drug discovery process, to lessen the compounds with unfavorable pharmacological properties at an early stage of drug development. Hence a detailed perspective of these properties, in accordance with their prediction and measurement, are pivotal for a successful identification of radioprotectors by drug discovery process.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.259-264
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• 1993

Three cell lines, CHO, L929 and B16 which are non-tumorigenic and cancer cells, respectively, were first tested for their survival in the presence of radioprotective ginseng protein fraction(GPF0. The influence of three radioprotectors-CPF, cysteamine, and 1-Methyl-2-bis[(2-methylthio)vinyl] quinolinium iodide (MVQI) on DNA repair capacity of UV damaged cells survival test, the GPF showed higher cytotoxicity in L929 and B16 than in CHO cells. However, the degree of cell killing was also investigated by measuring $^3H$-thymidine incorporation of PUVA treated cells. In cell survival test, the GPF showed higher cytotoxicity in L929 and B16 than in CHO cells. However, the degree of cell killing was not high enough to consider it as an antitumorigenic agent. Variable results were obtained in the effects on DNA repair capacity depending on the protectors and cell lines used. In pretreatment, the presence of GPF and MVOI brought about a sinificant increase in the capacity in both CHO and B16 cells. However, in L929, the enhancing effect was not shown. In all three cell lines, cysteamine showed lower repair capacity than control, suggesting the primary damage reduction in stronger enhancing effects in L929 and B16 cells, while it was weaker in CHO cells. Here also cystemine hsowed a very little or no increase in the capacity in all three cell lines. These results demonstrate that GPF has mild cytotoxicity in tumorignic cells and that GPF and MVQI enhance DNA repair capacity of UV damaged cells, whether they are tumorigenic or not. On the other hand, cysteamine shows only damage reduction effect. Celles of different genetic origin seem to give different responses to the modifier and different modifiers may possibly work by different mechanisms.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2015

Radiation causes various pathophysiological alterations in living animals, and it causes death at high doses by multiple mechanisms, including direct DNA damage and indirect oxidative stress. The search for useful radioprotectors has been an important issue in the field of radiation biology. Ideal radioprotectors should have low toxicity and an extended window of protection. As many synthetic compounds have toxic side effects, the natural products have attracted scientific attention as radioprotectors. Natural products that have been recently shown to be effective with various biological activities were found to have radioprotective effect. The aim of this review is to summary the recent research of the radioprotective effects of natural foods, especially focused on the glycobiological properties of mushrooms.

• ALGAE
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.403-414
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• 2016

The use of ionizing radiation and radioactive elements is becoming increasingly popular with the rapid developments in nuclear technology, radiotherapy, and radio diagnostic methods. However, ionizing radiation can directly or indirectly cause life-threatening complications such as cancer, radiation burns, and impaired immunity. Environmental contamination with radioactive elements and the depletion of ozone layer also contribute to the increased levels of radiation exposure. Radioprotective natural products have particularly received attention for their potential usefulness in counteracting radiation-induced damage because of their reduced toxicity compared with most drugs currently in use. Moreover, radioprotective substances are used as ingredients in cosmetic formulations in order to provide protection against ultraviolet radiation. Over the past few decades, the exploration of marine algae has revealed the presence of radioprotective phytochemicals, such as phlorotannins, polysaccharides, carotenoids and other compounds. With their promising radioprotective effects, marine algae could be a future source for discovering potential radioprotective substances for development as useful in therapeutics.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.114-122
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• 1986

At present, the treatments of the radiation-induced diseases are only performing by the palliative treatment technique. Moreover, radiation protective agents are a little toxic for human being and this seriously limits their applicability with various complications in clinical uses. Accordingly, as a part of the aim of gain of the basic data for protective roles of some radioprotectors, the present investigation was carried out to evaluate the comparative radioprotective effects by the administration of DDC, MEA, WR-2721. Results are shown for statistically significant analysis and correlation with each group as follows; 1. The proper doses of the radioprotectors were DDC; 1,550 mg/kg, MEA; 450 mg/kg, WR-2721; 780 mg/kg of the mouse body weight. 2. DMF(Dose modification factor) of LD 50/10 and LD 50/30 for whole body irradiation was DDC; 1.2, MEA; 1.4, WR-2721; 1.9 and DDC; 1.7, MEA; 1.8, WR-2721; 2.5 respectively. 3. DMF for radiation reaction of jejunal crypt was DDC: 1.07, MEA: 1.21 and WR-2721: 1.76 and that of jejunal crypt cell was DDC: 1.04, MEA: 1.08 and WR-2721: 1.38 respectively. 4. Conclusively, WR-2721 was the most effective drung among the three radioprotectors and this result must be a supportive data for further study for clinical application.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8171-8175
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• 2014

Background: To study the radioprotective effects of flavonoids from Rosa roxburghii Tratt (FRT). Materials and Methods: The radioprotective effects of FRT were investigated by examining cell viability, 30-day survival of mice and the number of colony-forming units in spleen (CFU-S) after total-body 60Co irradiation. Results: The survival rates of irradiated cells gradually increased with increasing concentrations of FRT. The survival rate was the highest at 87% with a concentration of $30{\mu}g/mL$. Pretreatment with FRT was needed to realize its radioprotective activity in mice at the dose of 60 mg/kg. With the increasing doses of 30 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg, the numbers of CFU-S increased, and were significantly different compared with the control group. Conclusions: Pretreatment with FRT prior to irradiation resulted in significantly higher cell survival at 24 h after 5 Gy radiation, increased 30-day survival in mice after exposure to a potentially lethal dose of 8 Gy, and resulted in a higher number of CFU-S in mice after exposure to a dose of 6 Gy. These results collectively indicate that FRT is an effective radioprotective agent.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.278-284
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• 1999

This study deals with the biological changes in mice after ${\gamma}-irradiated$. Four weeks old BALA/c mice were irradiated with 6.5Gy of ${\gamma}-ray$ on the fifth day after oral administration of radioprotectants such as ascorbic acid, tocopherol and cysteine. Control group was irradiated with 6.5Gy without pre-administration of radioprotectors. Blood cells and sperm cells were counted and body, testis and spleen were weighed 3 days after irradiation. And also liver antioxidant activity and range of spleen immune cells were measured. Differences in most biological parameters were not clearly distinguished between experimental groups. However, the relative spleen weight, the relative testis weight and the population size of spleen immune cells such as T helper cells, B cells and macrophages measured by means of FACS showed significant difference between irradiated and radioprotectant administered group. It is concluded that the relative spleen weight, the relative testis weight and the population size of spleen immune cells are easy and useful parameters for assessing the effect of radioprotective substances and for quantifying biological damage of radiation, as well.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.398-404
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• 2005

Radioprotection is of practical importance for the normal tissues of tumor patients subject to radiotherapy, people with planned or accidental exposure to radiation, and the public and radiation workers. Since oxygen enhances radiation - induced biological damage, antioxidants should be related with the function as a radioprotectors. Ascorbic acid or caffeine is an essential component and antioxidant in the diet of humans and a small range of other mammals. The present study investigates functional radioprotection of caffeine and ascorbic acid against gamma radiation in irradiated C57BL/6N mice. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6N mice were irradiated with 6.5 Gy. A caffeine treated group was administered with $80mg\;kg^{-1}$ body weight by intraperitoneal injection, a single treatment 1 hr before irradiation. Ascorbic acid was administered $330\;mg\;L^{-1}$ in drinking water through all the experimental period. According to time schedules, animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. And the samples were collected 2 weeks after whole- body gamma irradiation. The caffeine treated group showed lower decrement of body and organ weights than the other experimental groups. The qualitative analysis of circulating testosterone in serum was performed by means of radioimmunoassay (RIA). The normal level of circulating testosterone was maintained by the treatment of caffeine and ascorbic acid. The change of weight of body and organ and the appearance of seminiferous tubules were improved by an effect of caffeine or ascorbic acid against irradiation. Taken together, caffeine and ascorbic acid protects impairment of spermatogenesis against gamma radiation and may act as a radio-protector.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 1996

Radiotherapy is an irreplaceable method of cancer treatment but, it has various side effects, especially damage to the hemopoietic system. A lot of radioprotectors have been found but they also have toxic effects. Many kinds of crude drugs(Oriental Chinese medicine)with low toxicity have been reported to promote the recovery from radiation damage. Recently, the trial to combine radiotherapy with herbal treatment of cancer patients shows a desirable result, an enhancement in recovery of the blood system.. This study was performed to determine whether prescriptions to support the healthy energy and strengthen the body resistence, Buzhongyiqi-tang and Siliu-tang, promote the recovery of splenocytes of N:GP(s) mice from radiation damage. We investigated the proliferative effect of Buzhongyiqi-tang, Siliu-tang and EIB(ethanol insoluble fraction of Buzhongyiqi-tang) on N:GP(S)mice splenocytes before or after ${\gamma}$-irradiation. We also investigated the morphology of splenocytes cultured with these herbs. Buzhongyiqi-tang and Siliu-tang promoted the proliferation of splenocytes in a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml compared with normal control(p<0.001). After 1-5Gy of ${\gamma}$-irradiation they also showed the effect of recovery of hemopoietic cells, especially in Buzhongyiqi-tang(4Gy:p<0.005; 5Gy:p<0.05). In addition, EIB(ethanol insoluble fraction of Buzhongyiqi-tang) showed the highest proliferative effect of all agents suggesting that more effective fractions could be found from crude herbs or prescriptions. These results suggest that it is possible to make use of Buzhongyiqi-tang, Siliu-tang or EIB as radio-protective agents.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2405-2425
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• 2014

Radiation exposure leads to several pathophysiological conditions, including oxidative damage, inflammation and fibrosis, thereby affecting the survival of organisms. This review explores the radiation countermeasure properties of fourteen (14) plant extracts or plant-derived compounds against these cellular manifestations. It was aimed at evaluating the possible role of plants or its constituents in radiation countermeasure strategy. All the 14 plant extracts or compounds derived from it and considered in this review have shown some radioprotection in different in vivo, ex-vivo and or in vitro models of radiological injury. However, few have demonstrated advantages over the others. C. majus possessing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects appears to be promising in radioprotection. Its crude extracts as well as various alkaloids and flavonoids derived from it, have shown to enhance survival rate in irradiated mice. Similarly, curcumin with its antioxidant and the ability to ameliorate late effect of radiation exposure, combined with improvement in survival in experimental animal following irradiation, makes it another probable candidate against radiological injury. Furthermore, the extracts of P. hexandrum and P. kurroa in combine treatment regime, M. piperita, E. officinalis, A. sinensis, nutmeg, genistein and ginsan warrants further studies on their radioprotective potentials. However, one that has received a lot of attention is the dietary flaxseed. The scavenging ability against radiation-induced free radicals, prevention of radiation-induced lipid peroxidation, reduction in radiation cachexia, level of inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis, are some of the remarkable characteristics of flaxseed in animal models of radiation injury. While countering the harmful effects of radiation exposure, it has shown its ability to enhance survival rate in experimental animals. Further, flaxseed has been tested and found to be equally effective when administered before or after irradiation, and against low doses (${\leq}5Gy$) to the whole body or high doses (12-13.5 Gy) to the whole thorax. This is particularly relevant since apart from the possibility of using it in pre-conditioning regime in radiotherapy, it could also be used during nuclear plant leakage/accidents and radiological terrorism, which are not pre-determined scenarios. However, considering the infancy of the field of plant-based radioprotectors, all the above-mentioned plant extracts/plant-derived compounds deserves further stringent study in different models of radiation injury.