Evaluation of melatonin and sesamol for radiation injury in rodents

Abstract

Radiation is a two edge sword ever since discovered, soon after its primary medical uses, its adverse effects came into existence. Today with development of technology, use of radiation/ nuclear power has immensely grown. In current scenario, the major use of nuclear and radiation practice has immensely increased in weapons programs, nuclear power production, nuclear techniques used in industry, agriculture, medicine, diagnostics etc. Also, India is aiming to shift 25 % of its electricity supply to nuclear power by 2050. Such growth of nuclear power stations also brings along the venerable situation such as nuclear and radiological accidents/emergencies e.g, the Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima disaster (2011). newlineThere is also a threat of radiological terrorism aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in the US, the 11/26 attacks of Mumbai. In addition, the use of radiation in radiotherapy for ever increasing cancer patients is immense. In India, Cancer causes 6% of all deaths which contributes to 8% of global cancer mortality. As per national institute of cancer prevention and research, every year, over 11.5 lakh new cancer patients are registered in India. The radiation exposure scenario, practically, can involve the uniformed personnel, as in first responders in nuclear emergency, nuclear warfare, combat scenario in radiation environment, while for non-uniformed personnel it may result during medical/accidental situations. newlineExposure to IR has deleterious effects on health depending upon the radiation dose absorbed. With increasing dose, whole body radiation exposure may cause hematological (bone marrows suppression), gastro intestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, GI bleed), and physiological (central nervous system, lungs, reproductive system) symptoms. These problems, if not medically diagnosed and treated can lead to death of individuals. In surviving person occurrence of frequent infections, cancers at later stages, and compromise in quality of life have been reported. The direct beneficiaries of radioprotector as a......