Microbiome in radiotherapy: an emerging approach to enhance treatment efficacy and reduce tissue injury.

Radiotherapy is a widely used cancer treatment that utilizes powerful radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. While radiation can be beneficial, it can also harm the healthy tissues surrounding the tumor. Recent research indicates that the microbiota, the collection of microorganisms in our body, may play a role in influencing the effectiveness and side effects of radiation therapy. Studies have shown that specific species of bacteria living in the stomach can influence the immune system's response to radiation, potentially increasing the effectiveness of treatment. Additionally, the microbiota may contribute to adverse effects like radiation-induced diarrhea. A potential strategy to enhance radiotherapy outcomes and capitalize on the microbiome involves using probiotics. Probiotics are living microorganisms that offer health benefits when consumed in sufficient quantities. Several studies have indicated that probiotics have the potential to alter the composition of the gut microbiota, resulting in an enhanced immune response to radiation therapy and consequently improving the efficacy of the treatment. It is important to note that radiation can disrupt the natural balance of gut bacteria, resulting in increased intestinal permeability and inflammatory conditions. These disruptions can lead to adverse effects such as diarrhea and damage to the intestinal lining. The emerging field of radiotherapy microbiome research offers a promising avenue for optimizing cancer treatment outcomes. This paper aims to provide an overview of the human microbiome and its role in augmenting radiation effectiveness while minimizing damage.

Extraction, structure, pharmacological activity, and structural modification of Lilium polysaccharides.

Polysaccharides primarily composed of glucose, arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, and galactose are pharmacologically active ingredients in Lilium. The pharmacological activities shown by polysaccharides from Lilium include antioxidant, anti-tumor, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, bacteriostatic, and radiation protection effects. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the distribution of Lilium medicinal resources in China, current extraction and purification methods of Lilium polysaccharide (LP), the strategies used for analyzing the polysaccharide structure and monosaccharide composition in LP, and the pharmacological activities and structural modification of LP. This review provides a basis for the development and clinical application of LP along with the conservation and utilization of Lilium resources.