Li Xiaoxue, Yu Luyao, Xu Hongchi, Xing Xiaowen, Wu Wenhui, Feng Yifei, Ma Li, Zhou Zheng, Li Bailin, He Ying
College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
Navy Special Medical Centre, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2025 Aug 25;13:1640682. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2025.1640682. eCollection 2025.
Radiation exposure initiates a cascade of reactions, including the release of reactive oxygen species, DNA double-strand breaks, and cellular apoptosis, leading to cell death, tissue damage, and potentially the development of cancer. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop highly effective and low-toxicity radioprotective agents. Traditional chemically synthesized protective agents face significant limitations in clinical applicability due to their pronounced off-target toxicity, narrow therapeutic window, and high production costs. In recent years, bioactive natural compounds, including polysaccharides, polyphenols, saponins, alkaloids, and peptides, have emerged as key research targets for the next-generation of radioprotective drugs due to their low toxicity and multi-target synergistic effects. Notably, each class of compounds demonstrates distinct characteristics in its mechanisms of action. In comparison to synthetic drugs, these natural compounds exert protective effects primarily through three mechanisms: antioxidant activity, anti-apoptotic effects, and immune modulation. Additionally, they offer advantages such as abundant availability and high safety profiles. Current research must further elucidate the mechanisms of action of their active ingredients to establish a theoretical foundation for radiation protection in contexts involving radiation workers and potential nuclear emergencies. This article systematically elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying radiation damage, summarizing the multidimensional protective effects and action pathways of natural products. Its objective is to provide both a theoretical foundation and technical insights for the development of novel radioprotectants.
辐射暴露引发一系列反应，包括活性氧的释放、DNA双链断裂和细胞凋亡，导致细胞死亡、组织损伤，并可能引发癌症。因此，迫切需要开发高效低毒的辐射防护剂。传统的化学合成防护剂由于其明显的脱靶毒性、狭窄的治疗窗口和高昂的生产成本，在临床应用上面临重大限制。近年来，包括多糖、多酚、皂苷、生物碱和肽在内的生物活性天然化合物，因其低毒性和多靶点协同作用，已成为下一代辐射防护药物的关键研究靶点。值得注意的是，每一类化合物在其作用机制上都表现出独特的特征。与合成药物相比，这些天然化合物主要通过三种机制发挥保护作用：抗氧化活性、抗凋亡作用和免疫调节。此外，它们还具有来源丰富和安全性高的优点。当前的研究必须进一步阐明其活性成分的作用机制，为辐射工作人员和潜在核应急情况下辐射防护建立理论基础。本文系统阐述了辐射损伤的分子机制，总结了天然产物的多维保护作用和作用途径。其目的是为新型辐射防护剂的开发提供理论基础和技术见解。
