Effect of an extract of Centella asiatica on the biodistri- bution of sodium pertechnetate (Na¡sup¿99m¡/sup¿TcO¡sub¿4¡/sub¿) and on the fixation of radioactivity on blood constituents

This study evaluates the effects of an acute treatment with a Centella asiatica (CA) extract on the biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical NaTcO4 and on the fixation of technetium-99m on blood constituents. Wistar rats were treated with CA extract and, 1 hour after, NaTcO4 was administered; organs/tissues were withdrawn and weighted. The radioactivity was counted to calculate the percentage of activity per gram (%ATI/g). Also, blood samples were withdrawn, plasma (P), blood cells (BC), insoluble fraction (IF) and soluble fractions of P and BC were isolated and the radioactivity was counted to calculate the percentage of activity (%ATI). Data indicated that the acute treatment with CA extract changed significantly (p<0.05) the %ATI/g in several organs/tissues (spleen, heart, duodenum, stomach, liver, muscle, kidney, testis and blood) and the %ATI on the blood constituents (P, BC, IF-P and IF-BC). These results indicate that the substances or metabolites of the CA extract would change the biodistribution of NaTcO4 and the fixation of the technetium-99m on blood constituents in an acute treatment.