How to Cite
Abstract
Ionizing radiation is a cornerstone of oncological treatment, yet its application is constrained by dose-dependent collateral injury to normal parenchymal organs. The kidney and liver are among the most radiosensitive structures encountered in abdominal and pelvic radiotherapy, and radiation-induced renal and hepatic injury contributes substantially to treatment-limiting toxicity and long-term morbidity. Understanding the mechanisms of such injury and developing effective, affordable radioprotective interventions therefore remain priorities in radiation oncology.
Among natural agents with documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin — a polyphenolic compound derived from Curcuma longa — has attracted considerable attention for its capacity to inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway, scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), and suppress radiation-induced apoptosis in hepatic tissue [1, 2]. Zinc, an essential trace element and obligate cofactor of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase and metallothioneins, has been shown to attenuate oxidative renal damage caused by ionizing radiation by restoring glutathione levels, reducing malondialdehyde, and normalizing antioxidant enzyme activity [3]. However, published studies have, for the most part, evaluated these agents in isolation, and a systematic assessment of their combined (potentially synergistic) efficacy at the histological level — using the proliferation marker Ki-67 as an index of cellular recovery — has not been reported.
References
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