Evaluation of herbal preparation on radiation induced skin-injury in head and neck carcinoma patient at tertiary care

Ionising radiations are one of the dominant external factor that exert deleterious effect on human life. The biological effects of the radiation cause damages to DNAs, lipids and proteins. Exposure to high amounts of ionizing radiation causes damage to the hematopoietic, gastrointestinal or central nervous systems. There is a dose dependent effect of radiation on human body. Radiation injury refers to the acute or delayed consequences of exposure of a small part of the body to high doses of ionizing radiation resulting in severe burns acutely whereas long-term injury may affect various organs like eyes resulting in formation of cataract and lung involvement resulting in pneumonia . Damage to the DNA results due to ionizing radiation is the most important factor in cell death. It is followed by altered cell division, depletion of stem cells, organ system dysfunction. The ever increasing use of natural compounds for improving health has tremendously increased in modern times. Hence, there is an urgent need to prevent harmful effects secondary to ionizing radiations. This adverse effect of ionizing radiations on biological systems can be minimized by use of natural radioprotective agents which includes phytochemicals, plants and various herbal preparations of different plant origin.