Medicinal plants in mitigating electromagnetic radiation-induced neuronal damage: a concise review
Abstract
Medicinal plants in mitigating electromagnetic radiation-induced neuronal damage: a concise review Raghu SV, Kudva AK, Rajanikant GK, Baliga MS. Medicinal plants in mitigating electromagnetic radiation-induced neuronal damage: a concise review. Electromagn Biol Med. 2021 Aug 12:1-14. doi: 10.1080/15368378.2021.1963762. Abstract Although the evidence is inconclusive, epidemiological studies strongly suggest that increased exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) increases the risk of brain tumors, parotid gland tumors, and seminoma. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified mobile phone radiofrequency radiation as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). Humans being are inadvertently being exposed to EMR as its prevalence increases, mainly through mobile phones. Radiation exposure is unavoidable in the current context, with mobile phones being an inevitable necessity. Prudent usage of medicinal plants with a long history of mention in traditional and folklore medicine and, more importantly, are safe, inexpensive, and easily acceptable for long-term human use would be an appealing and viable option for mitigating the deleterious effects of EMR. Plants with free radical scavenging, anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory properties are beneficial in maintaining salubrious health. Green tea polyphenols, Ginkgo biloba, lotus seedpod procyanidins, garlic extract, Loranthus longiflorus, Curcuma amada, and Rosmarinus officinalis have all been shown to confer neuroprotective effects in validated experimental models of study. The purpose of this review is to compile for the first time the protective effects of these plants against mobile phone-induced neuronal damage, as well as to highlight the various mechanisms of action that are elicited to invoke the beneficial effects. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Conclusions Recent research suggests green tea polyphenols, Ginkgo biloba, lotus seedpod procyanidins, garlic extract, Loranthus longiflorus, Curcuma amada, and Rosmarinus officinalis may be beneficial in preventing EMR-induced brain damage.The brain-protective effects of these plants are thought to be mediated by a variety of mechanisms, including scavenging of radiation-induced free radicals, increased cellular anti-oxidant status, inhibition of neuronal apoptosis, and improved neurobehavioral outcomes. Given the increasing prevalence of intentional and unintentional EMR exposure in daily life, more comprehensive cell culture, animal, and clinical studies using pharmacologically validated models that incorporate multiple biochemical, physiological, pathological, and neurobehavioral end points are required.Such studies will be highly beneficial because these agents have been validated for various health benefits and are known to improve/maintain general health; if they are also protective against EMR-induced damage in multiple studies, they will be extremely useful to both the scientific fraternity and society at large.The most important factors to consider when starting clinical studies are that these medicinal plants have been used since antiquity, are non-toxic, have a wide range of medicinal properties, and are easily acceptable for human use. Green tea polyphenols could be particularly useful because it is one of the most widely consumed beverages, has a wide range of medicinal applications, and is a relatively non-toxic agent with widespread acceptance. According to data from various clinical trial registries, green tea is being studied at various stages (phases 1 to 4) in humans for various ailments.A well-designed study aimed at collecting secondary endpoints with a checklist for daily mobile phone use in volunteers enrolled in clinical trials will be a cost- and time-effective way to validate the neuroprotective effects of medicinal plants against EMR- induced damage.
AI evidence extraction
Main findings
This concise review states that evidence is inconclusive but that epidemiological studies "strongly suggest" increased electromagnetic radiation exposure increases risk of certain tumors, and notes IARC classification of mobile phone RF radiation as possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B). It compiles experimental evidence that several medicinal plants (e.g., green tea polyphenols, Ginkgo biloba, garlic extract) have shown neuroprotective effects in validated experimental models against mobile phone-induced neuronal damage, potentially via antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, and neurobehavioral mechanisms. The authors call for more comprehensive cell culture, animal, and clinical studies to validate these effects.
Outcomes measured
- Neuronal damage
- Brain damage
- Oxidative stress/free radicals
- Cellular antioxidant status
- Neuronal apoptosis
- Neurobehavioral outcomes
- Brain tumors
- Parotid gland tumors
- Seminoma
Limitations
- Described evidence as inconclusive.
- Review summarizes experimental models without providing detailed exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, SAR, duration) in the abstract.
- Calls for additional cell culture, animal, and clinical studies, implying current evidence is insufficient for firm conclusions.
Suggested hubs
-
cell-phones
(0.9) Focuses on mobile phone radiofrequency radiation exposure and related neuronal effects.
View raw extracted JSON
{
"publication_year": null,
"study_type": "review",
"exposure": {
"band": "RF",
"source": "mobile phone",
"frequency_mhz": null,
"sar_wkg": null,
"duration": null
},
"population": null,
"sample_size": null,
"outcomes": [
"Neuronal damage",
"Brain damage",
"Oxidative stress/free radicals",
"Cellular antioxidant status",
"Neuronal apoptosis",
"Neurobehavioral outcomes",
"Brain tumors",
"Parotid gland tumors",
"Seminoma"
],
"main_findings": "This concise review states that evidence is inconclusive but that epidemiological studies \"strongly suggest\" increased electromagnetic radiation exposure increases risk of certain tumors, and notes IARC classification of mobile phone RF radiation as possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B). It compiles experimental evidence that several medicinal plants (e.g., green tea polyphenols, Ginkgo biloba, garlic extract) have shown neuroprotective effects in validated experimental models against mobile phone-induced neuronal damage, potentially via antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, and neurobehavioral mechanisms. The authors call for more comprehensive cell culture, animal, and clinical studies to validate these effects.",
"effect_direction": "mixed",
"limitations": [
"Described evidence as inconclusive.",
"Review summarizes experimental models without providing detailed exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, SAR, duration) in the abstract.",
"Calls for additional cell culture, animal, and clinical studies, implying current evidence is insufficient for firm conclusions."
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.66000000000000003108624468950438313186168670654296875,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"stance": "concern",
"stance_confidence": 0.61999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
"summary": "This review discusses potential health risks from increased electromagnetic radiation exposure, noting IARC’s Group 2B classification for mobile phone radiofrequency radiation and stating that epidemiological evidence is inconclusive but suggestive of increased tumor risks. It compiles reports that several medicinal plants have shown neuroprotective effects against mobile phone-induced neuronal damage in experimental models. The authors propose mechanisms including antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects and emphasize the need for more comprehensive preclinical and clinical studies.",
"key_points": [
"The review states that epidemiological evidence is inconclusive but suggests increased EMR exposure may raise risks of certain tumors.",
"It highlights IARC’s classification of mobile phone RF radiation as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).",
"The paper compiles experimental findings on plant-derived agents proposed to mitigate mobile phone-induced neuronal damage.",
"Plants mentioned include green tea polyphenols, Ginkgo biloba, lotus seedpod procyanidins, garlic extract, Loranthus longiflorus, Curcuma amada, and Rosmarinus officinalis.",
"Proposed mechanisms include free-radical scavenging, increased antioxidant status, inhibition of neuronal apoptosis, and improved neurobehavioral outcomes.",
"The authors argue that more comprehensive cell culture, animal, and clinical studies are needed to validate neuroprotective effects.",
"The review suggests incorporating mobile phone use tracking as secondary endpoints in clinical studies could help evaluate potential benefits."
],
"categories": [
"RF Health Effects",
"Neurology",
"Oxidative Stress",
"Herbal/Nutritional Interventions",
"Carcinogenicity"
],
"tags": [
"Mobile Phone Radiation",
"Radiofrequency Exposure",
"Neuronal Damage",
"Neuroprotection",
"Medicinal Plants",
"Green Tea Polyphenols",
"Ginkgo Biloba",
"Garlic Extract",
"Antioxidants",
"Oxidative Stress",
"Apoptosis",
"Neurobehavioral Outcomes",
"IARC Group 2B",
"Brain Tumors"
],
"keywords": [
"electromagnetic radiation",
"mobile phone",
"radiofrequency radiation",
"neuronal damage",
"neuroprotection",
"medicinal plants",
"green tea polyphenols",
"Ginkgo biloba",
"lotus seedpod procyanidins",
"garlic extract",
"oxidative stress",
"apoptosis"
],
"suggested_hubs": [
{
"slug": "cell-phones",
"weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
"reason": "Focuses on mobile phone radiofrequency radiation exposure and related neuronal effects."
}
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"social": {
"tweet": "Review: evidence on EMR health effects is described as inconclusive, but the authors note IARC’s Group 2B classification for mobile phone RF and compile experimental reports that several medicinal plants (e.g., green tea polyphenols, Ginkgo) may reduce mobile phone–induced neuronal damage; more studies are needed.",
"facebook": "A concise review discusses mobile phone radiofrequency radiation (IARC Group 2B) and summarizes experimental studies suggesting certain medicinal plants (including green tea polyphenols and Ginkgo biloba) may have neuroprotective effects against EMR-induced neuronal damage. The authors emphasize that evidence remains inconclusive and call for more comprehensive preclinical and clinical research.",
"linkedin": "This review summarizes literature on mobile phone RF exposure (IARC Group 2B) and compiles experimental evidence that several medicinal plants (e.g., green tea polyphenols, Ginkgo biloba, garlic extract) may mitigate EMR-induced neuronal damage via antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. The authors highlight the need for more rigorous cell, animal, and clinical studies."
}
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.
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