An Optimized MicroPET Imaging Method for the Distribution and Synergies of Natural Products

Abstract

Purpose: Understanding the distribution and interaction of the Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) is an integral source of herbal drug discovery. An optimized radio-labeled method was explored that could conduct in situ biodistribution studies in animals. We evaluated the feasibility of the method and applied glycyrrhetinic acid and platycodon (PG) polysaccharides as models.Procedures: [18F]-GA is a novel radiotracer which was performed positron emission tomography (PET) studies to assay the biodistribution of GA in mice. In addition, PG polysaccharide was used to intervene the biodistribution and dosimetry of GA. Scanning data were analyzed with professional software.Results: Record the time-activity curves for all organs then use the normalization method to calculate the area under the curve as a dosimetry for each organ. Moreover, the addition of PG polysaccharides can significantly improve the dosimetry of GA in the lungs, and its effect was related to the administration time.Conclusion: MicroPET imaging opens up a new avenue for the application of drug interactions between the TCMs.

Micro-PET Imaging Demonstrates 3-O-β-D-Glucopyranosyl Platycodigenin as an Effective Metabolite Affects Permeability of Cell Membrane and Improves Dosimetry of [18F]-Phillygenin in Lung Tissue

“…As shown in Figures 2B, C , administration with PG-TS could significantly improve the dosimetry of the probe in the lung tissue (blue arrow). The result is consistent with previous studies (Cui et al, 2018). Herein, the [ 18 F]-PH probe displayed good performance and visually showed the distribution of the progenitor in vivo before and after the treatment of PG-TS.…”

“…P. grandiflorum (PG) as a medicine food homology has been widely accepted and utilized (Lee et al, 2004; Zhang et al, 2015; Liu, 2018). It has a long medicinal history and is often used as an adjunct in treatment of respiratory disease (Yim et al, 2016), and a recent study revealed that PG could affect the distribution of glycyrrhetinic acid in organisms (Cui et al, 2018). Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that saponins in PG are quickly metabolized into secondary saponin metabolites (SSM) in the body and then produce pharmacological effects (Tang et al, 2017), and it has been indicated that SSM might be the main medicinal substance (Lorent et al, 2014).…”

Biodistribution of andrographolide to assess the interior‐exterior relationship between the lung and intestine using microPET

“…It can also promote the results of animal experiments to clinical practice, providing an important experimental basis for the further use of clinical pharmacokinetics and clinical pharmacodynamics 21 . This development has important implications for laboratory and clinical trials 22 . In the field of pharmacokinetics, the use of MicroPET has become more widespread 23 .…”

“…21 This development has important implications for laboratory and clinical trials. 22 In the field of pharmacokinetics, the use of MicroPET has become more widespread. 23 Micro-PET can observe the distribution of drugs in organs and tissues in real time, providing a key technique for studying correlations between the lung and intestine.…”