• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.91-96
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• 1997

Male rats of Albino strain were divided into four groups. The radioprotective effect of treatment with S-2(3-aminopropylamino)ethylphosphorothioic acid(WR-2721) using the dose of 200 mg/kg by intraperitonial injection on rats for 20 min prior to whole body x-ray irradiation (8 Gy) was studied. The harzardous effects of x-ray irradiation were greatly corrected In the treated group. The concentrations of total serum cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid were greatly affected, showing insignificant changes in the treated group of animals. The drastic hyperglycemic effect of x-ray irradiation in the untreated group decreased to a normal level. These results show the potentiality of WR-2721 as a radioprotective agent.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 2000

In the present study, to determine whether the ascorbate protect against radiation damage and the possible relationship among the radioprotective effects and antioxidant actions, the effects of ascorbate(240 mg/kg, i.p) pretreatment of mice on the survival ratio, splenic weight, major antioxidant enzymes(SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) activities, glutathione contents and lipid peroxidation in the liver were examined for 2 weeks after whole-body ${\gamma}-irradiation$(6.5 Gy). The 30-day survival ratio Increased from 10% to 47% for mice treated with ascorbate. The ascorbate decreased the extent of loss in splenic weight and stimulated recovery of splenic weight in irradiated mice(p<0.01). On the day of 14 after ${\gamma-irradiation}$, the ascorbate pretreatment produced a slight increase of antioxidant enzymes activities and significantly increased reduced glutathione(GSH) contents(P<0.05) in the liver compared with non-treated group. Pretreatment with the ascorbate significantly decreased GSSG/total GSH ratio(p<0.05) without the change of GSSG in the liver and inhibited the radiation-induced increase in the hepatic malondialdehyde levels(p<0.05). In these results, we found that its radioprotective effect by protecting antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione contents from radiation induced a decrease, and thereby suppressing lipid peroxidation which is induced by free radicals.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1998

In the present study, to determine whether the antioxidative components of Korean red ginseng protect against radiation damage and the possible relationship among the radioprotective effects and antioxidant actions, the effects of total saponin (200 mg/kg, ip) and lipophilic fraction (200 mg/kg, oral) preferment of mice on the survival ratio, major antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) activities, glutathione levels and lipid peroxidation in the liver were exiled for 2 weeks after whole ${\gamma}$-body ${\gamma}$-irradiation (6.5 Gy). The 30-day survival ratio increased from 10% to 57% and 40% for mice treated with total saponin and lipophilic fraction, respectively. On day 14 after ${\gamma}$-irradiation, the ginseng total saponin pretreatment produced a slight increase of antioxidant enzymes activities and significantly Increased reduced glutathione (GSH) contents (p<0.05) in the liver compared with non-treated group. Pretreatment with ginseng total saponin significantly deceased GSSG/total GSH ratio (p<0.05) without change of GSSG in the liver and inhibited the radiation-induced incense in the hepatic malondialdehyde levels. (p<0.05) In these results, GSH plays an important role in the liver in several detoxifications and the reduction of lipid peroxides. Thus, it appears that total saponin of red ginseng exerts its radioprotective effect by accelerating the production of endogenous antioxidants, such as glutathione from radiation induced damages and thereby oxygen free radicals.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 1988

To elucidate the reaction mechanism of ginseng protein on its antiradiation activity, its effects were studied on sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) induced by UV irradiation in CHO-KI cells. When cells were irradiated with 254 nm UV light at the dose of 0 to 8erg$\textrm{mm}^2$, the frequencies of CSE were increased more than two fold. However, when radio protective ginseng protein was added to the cells before the after UV irradiation, SCE frequencies were decreased significantly at all UV doses in both cases with no significant differences. As the amount of ginseng protein was varied from 100 to 500 .mu.g/ml, with UV irradiation at 60 erg$\textrm{mm}^2$, SCE frequencies dropped sharply at the first two concentrations and then reached a sort of plateau in both cases of pre-and post-treatment. When the ginseng protein was treated alone without UV irradiation, there were no changes in SCE frequencies no matter when the protein was added. There results suggest that the ginseng protein could reduced DNA damages, which may play an important role in the reaction mechanism of radioprotective activity of the protein.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.444-451
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• 1999

We performed this study to determine the radioprotective effect of Sam Ryung Baek Chul San (San Ling Bai Shu San), as a prescription of traditional Oriental medicine, and its major ingredients. Jejunal crypt survival, endogenous spleen colony formation, and apoptosis in jejunal crypt cells were investigated in irradiated mice with high and low dose of rays. Sam Ryung Baek Chul San administration before irradiation increased the formation of endogenous spleen colony(p<0.05) and reduced the frequency of radiation induced apoptosis(p<0.05). In the experiment on the effect of ingredients of Sam Ryung Baek Chul San, the result indicated that the extracts of Panax ginseng, Poria cocos and Coix lacryma jabi might have the major radioprotective effects. Although the mechanisms of these inhibitory effects remain to be elucidated, these results indicated that Sam Ryung Baek Chul San might be a useful radioprotector, especially since it is a relatively nontoxic natural product.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.698-704
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• 1999

In this study, we evaluated the radioprotective effects of Kuei Pi Tang and its ingredients, as a prescription of traditional Oriental medicine. The jejunal crypt survival, endogenous spleen colony formation, and apoptosis in jejunal crypt cells were investigated in mice irradiated with high and low dose of ${\gamma}$ rays. In the mice administered with Kuei Pi Tang extract before irradiation, the jejunal crypts were protected significantly(p<0.005) and the frequency of radiation induced apoptosis was reduced(p<0.05). In the experiment on the effects of the ingredients of Kuei Pi Tang, the results indicated that the extract of Dangui(Angelica sinensis), Suanzaoren(Zizyphus valgaris), Rensan (Panax ginseng), Fuling(Poria cocos) and Muxiang(Saussurea lappa) might have a major radioprotective effect. Although the mechanisms of this inhibitory effect remain to be elucidated, these results indi cated that Kuei Pi Tang might be a useful radioprotector, especially since it is a relatively nontoxic natural product.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5553-5565
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• 2013

Plants play important roles in human life not only as suppliers of oxygen but also as a fundamental resource to sustain the human race on this earthly plane. Plants also play a major role in our nutrition by converting energy from the sun during photosynthesis. In addition, plants have been used extensively in traditional medicine since time immemorial. Information in the biomedical literature has indicated that many natural herbs have been investigated for their efficacy against lethal irradiation. Pharmacological studies by various groups of investigators have shown that natural herbs possess significant radioprotective activity. In view of the immense medicinal importance of natural product based radioprotective agents, this review aims at compiling all currently available information on radioprotective agents from medicinal plants and herbs, especially the evaluation methods and mechanisms of action. In this review we particularly emphasize on ethnomedicinal uses, botany, phytochemistry, mechanisms of action and toxicology. We also describe modern techniques for evaluating herbal samples as radioprotective agents. The usage of herbal remedies for combating lethal irradiation is a green anti-irradiation approach for the betterment of human beings without high cost, side effects and toxicity.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.246-252
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• 1985

Ginseng proteins were isolated and partially purified to obtain two fractions, namely GI and GII. Radioprotective effects of these fractions were examined on $\gamma$-ray irradiated ICR mice by observing 30-day survival rates after irradiation. Also investigated were the effects of GI fraction on the recovery of radiation damage. As the results, the GI fraction showed strong protection against radiation indicated by the increment of 30-day survival rates, while the GII fraction did not. The GI fraction enhanced the recovery of body and splenic weights and increased the amount of DNA in liver significantly. It also helped to recover the damage done on erythrocytes by increasing the number to normal in short period, however, it had no effect on the recovery of leukocyte counts.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.29-48
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• 1997

Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?), Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子), Ligustrum lucidum Ail (女貞子) are Herbs that are frequently used in a lot of prescriptions to reduce the side effects of anti-cancer therapies, especially like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The radioprotective and hemopoietic effects of these Herbs on BALB/c splenocytes and bone marrow cells are measured. In order to evaluate the Hemopoietic effects, Thymidine uptakes and secretion of colony stimulating factors(CSFs) of splenocytes and myelocytes treated with herbs were measured. Radioprotective effects were accessed by the method of immunocompetence of murine lymphocytes cultured with herbs before irradiation and with LPS, ConA after irradiation. The results are as follows. 1. The orders of Proliferative effects of herbs on splenocytes were Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), the higest of all, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?), Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸). Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) and Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子), the lowest of all. At Optimal concentration, the proliferation ratios of herb-treated splenocytes compared to non-treated ones were like these. Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮) 44.3, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) 17.7, Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸) 10, Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) 6.4, Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子) 2.0.(p<0.05) 2. When splenocytes were cultured during different periods, Atractylodes. macrocephala Loidz (白朮) and Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) showed the higest proliferation on 3th day, Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) on 4th day,(p<0.05) and Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子) until 5th day but with no significant increase. 3. The orders of Proliferative effects of herbs on Bone Marrow(BM) cells were Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), the higest of all, Astragalus memhranaceus Bunge (黃?), Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) and Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子), the lowest of all too. At Optimal concentration, the proliferation ratios of herb-treated BM cells compared to non-treated ones were like these. Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮) 21.7, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) 9.9, Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸) 4.9, Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) 2.3, Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子) 1.4(p<0.05). 4. The secretion ratio of colony stimulating factors(CSFs) of each herb-treated group, compared to control, was Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮) 9.4, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) 9.0, Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸) 4.4, Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) 3.8 (p<0.05) but no significant increase in Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子). 5. The mitogen(ConA, LPS) stimulated-lymphocytes cultured with each herb before irradiation of 1-3 Gy showed more enhanced proliferation than control(p<0.05). When compared to each non-irradiated group of all groups, the orders of percentage increase of irradiated group were Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), the higest of all, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?), Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子). Each percentage showed significant enhancement compared to control group(p<0.05). According to the results, Atractylcdes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) are suggested to be the most effective hemopoietic and radioprotective herbs, and Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) the next, but Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子) showed lower effects than expected.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.208-214
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• 2014

Background: In previous work, we reported that Korean Red Ginseng saponin fraction (RGSF) showed anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The present study investigated the radioprotective properties of RGSF by examining its effects on ionizing radiation (IR)-enhanced and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammatory responses in murine macrophage cells. Results: RGSF induced strong downregulation of IR-enhanced and LPS-induced proinflammatory responses such as nitric oxide (NO) production (Inhibitory Concentration $50(IC_{50})=5.1{\pm}0.8{\mu}M$) and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ levels. RGSF was found to exert its radioprotective effects by inhibition of a signaling cascade that activated checkpoint kinase 2enuclear factor-${\kappa}B$. In addition, RGSF strongly inhibited IR-enhanced LPS-induced expression of hemoxyganase-1, implying that the latter may be a potential target of RGSF. Conclusion: Taken together, our data suggest that RGSF can be considered and developed for use as an effective radioprotective agent with minimal adverse effects.