Figure 1.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) reduces radiation-induced microglial activation and production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines to inhibit brain inflammation. TCMs increase the superoxide dismutase activity and decrease malondialdehyde and nitric oxide production to reduce oxidative stress. Upregulation of Bcl-2, downregulation of Bax-2, downregulation of p53 and c-jun expression, and increased ratio of Bcl-2/Bax by TCMs prevent radiation-induced apoptosis. TCMs may also increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF), tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) to promote neurogenesis and improve radiation-induced impairment of cognition. These drugs also enhance LTP, CREB, Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ pump function, increase estrogen levels, and reduce the entanglement of nerve fibers (Tau) to improve radiation-induced neurocognitive impairment.