Beneficial effects of natural products on cells during ionizing radiation.

Natural products like vegetables, fruits, and herbs are widely consumed by humans on a daily basis. These natural products have many biologic and pharmacologic properties. Ionizing radiation (IR) can interact with macromolecules like DNA, which induces serious side effects on cells and tissues. Natural products can directly scavenge free radicals produced by IR, and they can also activate or inhibit enzymes or proteins involved in the oxidative stress. Several natural products have dual biologic effects on normal and cancer cells during radiation and might be of interest for use in patients during radiotherapy. In this review, the effects of natural products on genotoxicity and cell death induced by IR were reviewed and some potentiated compounds were discussed.