title: An experimental model to study the effects of a senna extract on the blood constituent labeling and biodistribution of a radiopharmaceutical in rats.
abstract: 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 Blood samples were withdrawn from the animals and the radiolabeling procedure was carried out.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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Radiofarmácia Experimental, Departamento de Biofísica e Biometria, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Deise Elizabeth
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Marcia Oliveira
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Luciana Camargo
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Bernardo
authors.forename: Fernanda Santos
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Carmo
authors.forename: Adenilson de Souza da
authors.initials: Ade S
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernardo-Filho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012676:Senna Extract / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029846:Senna Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012676:Senna Extract; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m