Research progress on radioprotective effects of bee products / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

ABSTRACT

Radiation exposure is an ongoing and serious threat in military and public health concern, and there is an unmet need for effective preventative or mitigative treatment against radiation-induced injuries. The handful of FDA approved radiation protection agents cannot be widely used due to their side effects. Some natural non-toxic compounds such as bee products have been reported to prevent and treat radiation-induced injuries of oral mucosa, esophagus, skin, liver, intestine and hemopoietic system by reducing radiation-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis and DNA damage, indicating that they may be potential options of safe radioprotective agents. In this paper, the experimental and clinical studies on prevention and treatment of radiation injury by bee products were reviewed.