Insights into Potential Roles of Plants as Natural Radioprotectants and Amelioration of Radiations Induced Harmful Impacts on Human Health

Abstract

Radiations have a significant impact on many physiological, biochemical and molecular processes in plants, animals, and humans. Several studies have revealed the beneficial and adverse effects of radiation on human health. The radiation tolerance potential of plants can be used to protect humans from different harmful radiations. However, the underlying mechanisms that enable plants as radioprotectants remain unclear. Therefore, this chapter summarizes findings related to the detrimental effects of electromagnetic radiation on human health and the potential role of plants in mitigating the adverse effects of radiation. There is a dire need to increase our understanding of plants’ ability to reduce damages caused by radiations through their scavenging activity of free radicals, synthesis of various antioxidants, inhibiting apoptosis, and modulation of growth factors, cytokines, and redox genes. The identification and characterization of plants to tolerate radiations could provide safe, cost-effective, and sustainable radiation protection measures to human health in our surroundings.