The Reduction Effect of Extracts of Soybean Seeds on Acute Radiation Dermatitis

Radiation injury to the skin is one of the major limiting factors in radiotherapy. This study investigated whether extracts of soybean seeds (EOS), [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], reduced radiation dermatitis induced by radiation. We studied 27 Sprague-Dawley rats, which were divided into three groups, to evaluate the reduction in skin injury using natural products from soybean seeds as protection against radiation. Radiation dermatitis in EOS-treated animals (0.25 g/cm² skin once daily) was less severe than that in the control group after 50 Gy of radiation. Within 29 days after radiation, the skin scores in the control group were higher than those in the EOS group (0.5 in the EOS group vs. 1 in the control group; p < 0.05). The histologic findings indicated that skin reactions after 50 Gy of radiation were mild in both groups. However, the skin reactions in the EOS group were less prominent than those in the control group. The EOS-treated rats had normal hair growth, but hair growth was suppressed in control rats. We conclude that EOS are able to reduce reactions to radiation and can achieve a better recovery in the skin.