A research group at Okayama University has revealed that "linalool," which is the main component of lavender and is also abundant in coriander, which is popular as a flavored vegetable, has a radiation protection effect.

 Radiation protection agents are used in the event of radiation exposure due to a radiation accident, etc., or to prevent excessive radiation exposure during radiation therapy.Radiation protection agents that are currently recognized as effective and used in humans have side effects such as nausea, allergies, and increased blood pressure, and there has been a demand for radiation protection agents that can be safely used or ingested.

 The research group is investigating the radiation protection effect of essential oil (aroma oil) components that have been widely used as crude drugs and fragrances since ancient times.As a result, it was discovered that "linalool", which is contained in lavender and coriander and is widely used as a fragrance in daily necessities, has a protective effect against radiation.Irradiation of lethal X-rays on linalool-treated mouse lymphoid cells does not affect cell survival, and damage to nuclear DNA, the primary target of radiation-induced cell damage, is also an anti-linalool resistance. It was found to be almost completely protected by oxidative action.

 The results of this research will lead to the development and progress of the use of safe radioprotective agents using essential oil components.Linalool is a compound that is safe for humans and can be ingested on a daily basis, so it can be expected to have a preventive radioprotective effect.Furthermore, it is expected that some of the other essential oil components will have the same effect, and its discovery is awaited.

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry] In vitro analysis of radioprotective effect of monoterpenes

Okayama University

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