ENHANCED HUMAN EXPOSURE TO RADIATIONS, ROLE OF PHYTOCHEMICALS AS POTENTIAL RADIO-PROTECTANTS: A REVIEW

Science and technology have greatly contributed to man’s never-ending quest for quality improvement in different domains of life. But in the process of development, the usage of radiation-based technologies has considerably increased in the fields of medicine, agriculture, aviation, space, warfare, food processing, electronic and communication systems, nuclear-power generation and other industrial activities. These anthropogenic activities, in addition to natural processes, have more and more exposed humans knowingly or unknowingly to different kinds of radiations resulting in morbidity or mortality. In view of the high costs and side effects of the currently available radioprotective drugs, research continues to explore safe and effective radioprotectants preferably natural product-based ones. In the Traditional Indian and Chinese systems of medicine, several plant species have been reported to possess great medicinal values to treat various ailments. This article reviews and updates the promising plants and herbs, their extracts / bioactive principles and their mode of action as radio-protectants. Systematic and scientific studies pave the way to develop efficient drugs/formulations to protect or prevent from radiation injuries.