In the present study, the role of monoglucosyl‑rutin as a potential radioprotector was investigated using mammalian cell culture models. Cell survival and DNA damage were assessed using colony formation, sister chromatid exchange and γH2AX assays. It was demonstrated that monoglucosyl‑rutin was able to increase cell survival when exposed to ionizing radiation, possibly by decreasing the amount of base damage experienced by the cell. However, the present study also demonstrated that, despite monoglucosyl‑rutin exhibiting radioprotective effects at low doses, high doses of monoglucosyl‑rutin led to a decrease in plating efficiency and an increased doubling time. This effect may be due to double‑strand breaks caused by high concentrations of monoglucosyl‑rutin.