radiation Induced Gastrointestinal damage and Protection: Nigella Sativa seed extract and thymoquinone

Ionising radiation therapy is a common treatment for different types of cancers. The side effects associated with radiation includes destruction of normal cells, especially the dividing cells. The cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and bone marrow are the primary targets. The GI damage is reflected by early histological changes, functional alterations and symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. This has been designated as the radiation syndrome. Many synthetic drugs have been used to treat GI disorders but a definite cure has not been discovered so far and these available medications also cause several side effects. The herbal extracts are being tested for long time as preventive food supplement/drug in this disease. The radio protective effects of Nigella sativa (black cumin, (Ranunculacea) is already reported but its mechanism of action is not well established. Here in this review this aspect has been explored with special reference to various in vitro and in vivo models. Keyword: Nigella sativa; Thymoquinone; Radioprotector; Herbal; Radiation Defence Life Science Journal, Vol. 2, No. 3, July 2017, pp. 264-269, DOI : 10.14429/dlsj.2.11665  2017, DESIDOC Received : 06 March 2017, Revised : 14 June 2017 Accepted : 20 June 2017, Online published : 02 August 2017 REVIEW PAPER