An aqueous extract of Pfaffia sp. does not alter the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m and the morphology of the red blood cells

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Plants have been used for the human beings as food, as additives and/or as medicines. There are controversies about the biological effects of several natural products and, it is worthwhile to try to develop experimental assays to evaluate properties of extracts of plants. Pfaffi a sp. is utilized in popular medicine and various properties have been attributed to its extract. Red blood cells (RBC) and plasma proteins are labeled with technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and this labeling procedure depends on a reducing agent and stannous ion is usually used. There are reports that drugs can alter the labeling of blood elements with Tc-99m. We have evaluated the infl uence of a Pfaffi a sp. extract on the labeling of blood constituents with Tc-99m and on the morphology of RBC. Blood was incubated with an aqueous extract of Pfaffi a sp., stannous chloride and Tc-99m. Samples were centrifuged and plasma and blood cells were separated and also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid. Soluble and insoluble fractions were separated. The results did not show alteration in the uptake of radioactivity and no modifi cations on the shape of the RBC in presence of Pfaffi a sp. Once this labeling process depends on a reducing agent, probably, this extract has compounds with anti-oxidant properties as already described elsewhere, that could protect the stannous ions against the oxidation process. This fact would aid the labeling process of blood elements with Tc-99m.

Evaluation of the effect of an extract of sabugueiro (Sambucus australis) on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m

“…Furthermore, extracts of Sechium edule and Pfaffia sp. do not alter the fixation of this radionuclide on the blood constituents (Fernandes et al, 2005;Oliveira et al, 2003;Abreu et al, 2006;Santos-Filho et al, 2004;Diré et al, 2004). Sambucus australis is one of the plants widely used in popular medicine in Brazil due to its diuretic action, as well as is indicated to inflammation, burn, pain and rheumatologic disorders (Guarrera et al, 2005).…”

Effects of a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) extract on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m

“…Yet, the tomato extract has not modifi ed the distribution of radioactivity between plasma and blood cells compartments (Figure 2) neither the fi xation of 99m Tc on the blood cells proteins ( Figure 4). Stannous ion (Sn +2 ) is used as reducing agent in the 99m Tc-labeling of blood constituents and compounds or conditions that interfere with its action can alter the fi xation of 99m Tc on these constituents (Hladik III et al, 1987;Bernardo-Filho et al, 1994;Moreno et al, 2002;Fernandes et al, 2005;Aquino et al, 2007). The effect of tomato extract on labeling of plasma proteins could be related to its antioxidant property disturbing the action of Sn +2 on 99m Tc and decreasing the radioactivity uptake by plasma proteins.…”

Effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum treatment on radiolabeling of blood bonstituents and morphology of red blood cells in Wistar rats

“…However, other products are not able to interfere on this labeling process, as Pfaffia sp. (Fernandes et al, 2005). Recent data have suggested that in vivo acetylsalicylic acid treatment could alter the labeling of blood constituents with 99m Tc (Fonseca et al, 2007).…”