An experimental model to study the effects of a senna extract on the blood constituent labeling and biodistribution of a radiopharmaceutical in rats

Cassia angustifolia Vahl (senna) is a natural product that contains sennosides, which are active components that affect the intestinal tract and induce diarrhea. Authors have shown that senna produces DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) lesions in Escherichia coli cultures and can act as an antifungal agent. Natural drugs can alter the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m (99mTc) and can affect the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals. In this work, we have evaluated the influence of a senna extract on the radiolabeling of blood constituents and on the biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4)in Wistar rats. Twelve animals were treated with senna extract for 7 days. Blood samples were withdrawn from the animals and the radiolabeling procedure was carried out. The senna extract did not modify the radiolabeling of the blood constituents. A biodistributional assay was performed by administering Na99mTcO4 and determining its activity in different organs and in blood. The senna extract altered the biodistribution of Na99mTcO4 in the thyroid, liver, pancreas, lungs and blood. These results are associated with properties of the chemical substances present in the aqueous senna extract. Although these assays were performed in animals, our findings suggest that caution should be exercised when nuclear medicine examinations using Na99mTcO4 are conducted in patients who are using senna extract.

Studies on scavenge of hydroxyl radical and protection of DNA damage by 5 defferent Uighur medicinal herbs / 中草药

Object To study the hydroxyl radical scavenging and DNA damage protecting activities of 5 Uighur herbal medicines Euphorbia humifusa Willd , Borago officinalis L, Cassia angustifolia Vahl, Terminalia chebula Retz. and Fomes officinalis (Vill ex Fr ) Bres Methods The hydroxyl radical scavenging action and DNA damage protection action were determined by CuSO 4 Vit C H 2O 2 yeast and CuSO 4 Vit C H 2O 2 phen DNA chemiluminescence systems respectively Results All 5 Uighur medicinal herbs showed hydroxyl radical scavenging and DNA damage protection activities in dose dependent manners Conculsion The hydroxyl radical scavenging and DNA protective effects may possibly be the mechanisms of their antiaging and therapeutic effects against various diseases