In vitro and in vivo studies of an aqueous extract of Matricaria recutita (German chamomile) on the radiolabeling of blood constituents, on the morphology of red blood cells and on the biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate

Abstract

Background:Natural products might alter the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m (99mTc) and these results may be correlated with modifications of the shape of the red blood cells (RBC). The biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals can be also altered.Objective:This investigation aimed to determine biological effects of an aqueous extract of chamomile (CE).Materials and Methods:To study the effect of the CE on the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc, in vitro and in vivo assays were performed. The effect of the CE on the morphology of RBC was observed under light microscope. The images were acquired, processed, and the perimeter/area ratio of the RBC determined. To analyze the effect of the CE on biodistribution of the sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in Wistar rats, these animals were treated or not with a CE. Na99mTcO4 was injected, the rats were sacrificed, the organs were removed, weighted and percentage of radioactivity/gram calculated.Result:In the in vitro experiment, the radioactivity on blood cells compartment and on insoluble fractions of plasma was diminished. The shape and the perimeter/area ratio of the RBC were altered in in vitro assays. An increase of the percentage of radioactivity of Na99mTcO4 was observed in stomach after in vivo treatment.Conclusion:These results could be due to substances of the CE or by the products of the metabolism of this extract in the animal organism. These findings are examples of drug interaction with a radiopharmaceutical, which could lead to misdiagnosis in clinical practice with unexpected consequences.

Nutraceutical Analysis of Marticaria recutita (Chamomile) Dried Leaves and Flower Powder and Comparison between Them

“…It has been used as an emmenagogue and a uterine tonic in women. It is also effective in arthritis, back pain, brain tonic, bedsores and stomach cramps [30][31][32][33][34][35].…”

Forced Swim Alters the Radiolabeling of Blood Constituents from Wistar Rats

“…Plasma proteins and RBCs labeled with 99m Tc have been used to evaluate various clinical applications [32,34,35] and in experimental models [25][26][27][28][29][30]36].…”

“…In one case report, 99m Tc RBCs were used to localize intrathoracic bleeding [24]. Authors reported that synthetic and natural medications might alter the bioavailability of radiopharmaceuticals [25,26], as well as the radiolabeling of blood constituents [25,[27][28][29][30].…”

“…Considering that in vitro blood constituent labeling with 99m Tc can be modified by medications, an experimental assay to try to verify the effects of drugs was developed [27][28][29][30].…”

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“…The aqueous extract of Matricaria recutita also alters the RBC morphology 10 . Similarly the interaction between the drugs and plasma membrane has been studied by different techniques previously 11,12 .…”