RADIOPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF POLYPHENOLIC COMPOUNDS OF EDIBLE AND AROMATIC PLANTS

Abstract

The proliferation of nuclear technologies threatens by the negative impact of ionizing radiation on the human body and requires the search of new effective means for prevention from radiation damage. Informational search in scientific editions and search databases on radioprotective effects of food and aromatic plants, radiation nephropathy and promising herbal drugs for its prevention has been carried out. Methods of analysis, systematization, comparison, generalization of information data have been applied. An overview of the results of experimental phytochemical and clinical studies of domestic and foreign scientists on radioprotective effects of biologically active substances of food and aromatic herbs has been carried out. It is revealed that plant polyphenolic compounds, due to their antioxidant properties, are able to neutralize free radicals and thus leading to a stop of radio-induced chain oxidation reactions in cells, to scavenge and neutralize of lipoperoxyl radicals, chelate ions of metals, as well as to exhibit antimutagenic activity. Radiotherapy might cause several radiation-induced kidney injuries, including radiation nephropathy. Search of promising herbal substances for prevention and alleviation of radiation nephropathy is under active investigation in recent years. Preventive inclusion of radioprotective agents, containing polyphenolic compounds, before irradiation seems to be an obvious renoprotective strategy. The prospect for further phytochemical, pharmacodynamic and toxicological studies of properties of polyphenolic compounds in food and aromatic plants with an objective to create new effective remedies for the prevention and treatment of radiation damage is shown.