Natural Product asPotential Radioprotective agents

Since exposure to irradiation in radiotherapy or unwanted radiation, induces side effects to health, it is important to makear effort to protect humans against side effects induced by irradiation. In these cases, radioprotective drugs could be used to reduce or delay the side effects and the mortality induced by irradiation. Although, thiol compounds were early compounds in these categories, administration of these agents have induced serious side effects and is limited to use clinically. The search for less-toxic radiation protectors has spurred interest in the development of natural products. Natural products have mainly antioxidant and immunostimulant activity. Cytokines and androsetendiol have immunomudulatory effects in the prevention of mortality induced by gamma irradiation in animal model. Many studies have showed herbal medicine has good radioprotective effects. Flavonoids are one of the main chemical compositions in herbal medicine with antioxidant activity. Although, these natural products had low efficacy in comparison to thiol compounds, they have low toxicity. This review focused on recent radioprotective agents with natural origin that have more potential effects.