Normal Tissue Protectors Against Radiation Injury (Review Paper)

P. Uma Devi; Paban K. Agrawala

doi:10.14429/dsj.61.829

P. Uma Devi ARA-B-35A, Plavilakonam, Thachottukavu
Paban K. Agrawala Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.829

Keywords: Radiation protection, Chemical radioprotectors, Herbal preparations, Normal tissue toxicity

Abstract

Radiation damages normal tissues that can adversely affect the success of cancer radiotherapy, safety of nuclear installation workers and military personnel, and public exposed to nuclear accidents. Certain chemicals are able to protect against the harmful effects of radiation. But more than 50 years of research has produced only one approved radioprotective drug, WR-2721 or amifostine. The general utility of WR-2721 is limited by its inherent toxicity and high cost. Efforts to find non-toxic radioprotectors have revealed the promising properties of some medicinal plants. This is an attempt to review the recent publications on radioprotectors and to identify the research needs relevant to developing countries.

Defence Science Journal, 2011, 61(2), pp.105-112, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.829

Author Biographies

P. Uma Devi, ARA-B-35A, Plavilakonam, Thachottukavu

Dr Uma Devi obtained her PhD in radiation biology from University of Rajastan, Jaipur. She worked at the Kasturba Medical College Manipal and Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Bhopal, where she made significant contributions in various areas of radiation biology with greater emphasis on herbal radioprotectors. Her current areas of interests include herbal radioprotectors, hypnotherapy and nature-therapy.

Paban K. Agrawala, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi

Dr Paban K. Agrawala obtained his PhD in the field of herbal radioprotection from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. He worked at the Atomic Energy Commission of France at Paris, Institute Curie and P & M University and Department of Energy, USA before joining as senior scientist at Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Delhi. His current areas of interests are herbal radioprotection, elucidation of epigenetic changes following radiation exposure and application of epigenetic drugs in radiation mitigation.