Effect of an extract of Aloe vera on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in rats

Abstract

PURPOSE: Aloe vera is a tropical plant popularly known in Brazil as babosa. We have investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Aloe vera on the biodistribution of Na99mTcO4 and laboratorial parameters in Wistar rats. METHODS: Twelve animals were divided into treated and control groups. In the treated group, Aloe vera was given by gavage (5mg/mL/day) during 10 days. The control group received sorbitol by the same way and period. One hour after the last dose, we injected 0.1mL of Na99mTcO4 by orbital plexus. After 60 min, all the animals were killed. Samples were harvested from the brain, liver, heart, muscle, pancreas, stomach, femur, kidneys, blood, testis and thyroid and the percentage of radioactivity (%ATI/g) was determined. Biochemical dosages were performed. RESULTS: There was a significant increase of %ATI/g in blood, femur, kidneys, liver, stomach, testis and thyroid and also in blood levels of AST and ALT. A significant decrease in levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine and urea occurred. The statistical analyses were performed by Mann-Whitney test and T-Student test (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The aqueous extract of Aloe vera facilitated the uptake of Na99mTcO4 in organs of rats and it was responsible to a high increase of levels of AST and ALT.

Influence of Annona muricata (soursop) on biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals in rats

“…However, liver toxicity is a potential complication of these herbal compounds that may lead to liver failure, as demonstrated in studies described by Holanda et al 7 Adeyemi et al 12 showed in their study that there was a significant reduction in the concentration of blood glucose in diabetic rats treated with Anonna muricata (soursop), a result not found in our study, possibly due to the low extract concentration used. High levels of unsaturated fatty acids seem to play important role in improving the lipid profile, both in humans and in animals, being appointed more substantial effect on reducing low density lipoprotein (LDL), considered a cardiovascular risk factor 13 .…”

“…Several experimental models have been used to evaluate the properties of synthetic and natural drugs [6][7][8] . The biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals in the animal organism can be changed with concomitant use of drugs natural and/or synthetic, certain diets, parasitic infections, the use of cigarettes and surgery, as demonstrated in studies described by Araújo-Filho et al 15 and Rêgo et al 16 .…”

“…The biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals in the animal organism can be changed with concomitant use of drugs natural and/or synthetic, certain diets, parasitic infections, the use of cigarettes and surgery, as demonstrated in studies described by Araújo-Filho et al 15 and Rêgo et al 16 . Changes in biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (Na 99m TcO 4 ) in organs of rats were observed after treatment with natural products such as Artemisia vulgaris extract 17 and Aloe vera extract 7 .…”

“…Diseases can alter the biodistribution of a radiopharmaceutical and the analysis of scintigraphic images can help physicians to identify altered biological activity and diagnose clinical disorders. However, other factors such as drug interactions (natural or synthetic compounds) can alter the biodistribution of a radiopharmaceutical 6,7 . If these drug interactions are not anticipated, poor image quality in the nuclear medicine examinations could lead to a misdiagnosis with a possible need to repeat the examination, thereby increasing the radiation exposure to the patient and the staff 8 .…”

“…In the applications in nuclear medicine diagnostic, the isotope technetium-99m ( 99m Tc) has preferred choice. Technetium-99m may bind to different substrates or ligands, resulting radiopharmaceuticals with affinity for different organs, systems or receptors in the body [6][7][8] . Technetium-99m in the form of sodium pertechnetate, or labeled with other structures, such as sodium phytate ( 99m Tc-sodium phytate) or dimercaptosuccinic acid ( 99m Tc-DMSA) are the most frequently used radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine 9 .…”