Protective Effects of IMOD and Cimetidine against Radiation-induced Cellular Damage

Radiation damage is to a large extent caused by overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Radioprotectors are agents or substances that reduce the effects of radiation in healthy normal tissues while maintaining the sensitivity to radiation damage in tumor cells. Radioprotectors are agents or substances that reduce the effects of radiation in healthy normal tissues while maintaining the sensitivity to radiation damage in tumor cells Cimetidine was found more effective when used in vivo; this effect might be due to the augmentation of the presence of Sulphur atom in the compound which is ýimportant for their scavenging activity. Recently, a new herbal-based medicine with immunomodulatory capacities, Setarud (IMOD), was introduced as an additional therapy in various inflammatory diseases and HIV infection. IMOD is a mixture of herbal extracts enriched with selenium. Selenium confers protection by inducing or activating cellular free-radical scavenging systems and by enhancing peroxide breakdown. This article suggests that nontoxic amount of IMOD and cimetidine have radioprotective properties and could reduce cytotoxic effects of radiation.