Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture

Natural Products against Radiation Injuries

Plants have to deal with radiation-activated damage (UV-light of sun, other natural radiation sources). Therefore, it is worth reflecting that radio protective mechanisms have developed during evolution of life. We hypothesize that natural products from plants may also protect from radiation damage caused as unfortunate side effects of cancer radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is a mainstay of cancer treatment since decades. Ionizing radiation (IR) is used for abolition of cancer cells and shrinkage of tumours. Some secondary substances from plants reveal radio protective features against cellular damage caused by irradiation.