Phytoceuticals as countermeasures against the deleterious effects of ionizing radiations

There is long standing need to devise countermeasures against the deleterious effects of ionizing radiation, especially in the event of nuclear disasters or even otherwise. The access of nuclear materials to terrorists organization is now not a distant possibility. The terrorist may use fissile materials to make dirty bombs or nuclear improvised devices to spread terror. Therefore it is essential to have a defense preparedness to mount countermeasures against such situation. The use of plant related products could be useful in such situations. The plants have been used for healthcare since the advent of human history and they are usually considered non-toxic at the doses utilized by humans. This has been a stimulation to investigate the radioprotective ability of some of the phytoceutical extracts of bael (Aeglemarmelos) and jamun (Syzyzium cumini) in vivo and in vitro using micronuclei and/or survival assays. Treatment of mice with various doses of bael extract or jamun extract reduced the symptoms of radiation-induced sickness including listlessness, irritability, lethargy, reduction in food and water intake, diarrhea, lacrimation, facial edema weight loss, emaciation, and epilation. Mice receiving various doses of bael or jamun extract reduced the radiation-induced micronuclei formation in bone marrow. Likewise, treatment of human peripheral blood lymphocytes with various concentrations of bael or jamun extracts reduced the radiation-induced DNA damage. The putative mechanisms of radioprotection may be free radical scavenging, increased GSH accompanied by reduced lipid peroxidation. The use of bael and jamun extracts may help to reduce the effect of ionizing radiations. (author)