A perspective on plant origin radiolabeled compounds, their biological affinities and interaction between plant extracts with radiopharmaceuticals

The Effect of Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) Extract on the Uptake of 99mTc Labeled Paclitaxel: In Vitro Monitoring in Breast Cancer Cells

Background:

Bitter Melon Extract (BME) is widely used for the treatment of various diseases worldwide due to its rich phytochemical and antioxidant content. The well-known anti-cancer drug Paclitaxel (PAC) plays a major role in the treatment of various cancer types such as ovarian, breast, and lung cancer. Technetium-99m (99mTc) radiolabeled paclitaxel is emerging as an imaging probe for breast cancer in vivo. 99mTc labeled compounds have been attracting more scientific attention since the achievement of earlier researches in Nuclear Medicine. People consume several types of diets of plant origin without knowing the interaction with radiolabeled compounds or radiopharmaceuticals.

Objectives:

In the current study, we aimed to monitor the potential effects of the BME on the uptake of 99mTc labeled Paclitaxel (99mTc-PAC) against MCF-7 (ER+) and MDA-MB-231 (ER-) cell lines by using in vitro methods.

Methods:

BME was obtained by the extraction of BM seeds by 80% ethanol. PAC was labeled with 99mTc by stannous chloride (SnCl2) as a reducing agent. Cytotoxicity and incorporation assays were performed on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells within the cell culture studies.

Results:

The uptake value of 99mTc-PAC on MCF-7 cells at 240 minutes was 6.20% and BME treated 99mTc- PAC value was 17.39%.

Conclusion:

It is observed that BME treatment has a significant effect on the uptake of 99mTc-PAC on MCF-7 cells which is a known estrogen receptor-positive breast carcinoma cell line. It is concluded that this effect could be due to the estrogen receptor-dependent interaction of BME.

Radioiodinated Ginger Compounds (6-gingerol and 6-shogaol) and Incorporation Assays on Breast Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

6-Gingerol (6G) and 6-Shogaol (6S) are the main active components of ginger. 6-Gingerol is known for its anti-metastatic and anti-invasive pharmacological activities on cancer cells, besides, 6-Shogaol also inhibits breast cancer cell invasion.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, radioiodination (131I) of 6G and 6S was aimed. Additionally, it is aimed to monitor their incorporation behavior on breast cancer cell lines.

METHODS

6-Gingerol was isolated from the fresh ginger-roots extract, additionally, dehydrated to obtain 6-Shogaol. 6G and 6S were radioiodinated using iodogen method. Quality control studies of radioiodinated ginger compounds (6G and 6S) were performed by thin layer radio-chromatography. In vitro studies of radioiodinated ginger compounds on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were performed with incorporation assays.

RESULTS

6-Gingerol and 6-Shogaol were radioiodinated (131I-6G and 131I-6S) in high yields over 95%. 131I-6S demonstrated higher incorporation values than 131I-6G on MDA-MB-231 cells. Incorporation behavior of 131I-6G and 131I-6S was similar to MCF-7 cells.

CONCLUSION

It has been observed that ginger compounds were radioiodinated successfully and 131I-6S have a noteworthy incorporation on MDA-MB-231 cells which is a known breast carcinoma cell line with highly invasive characteristics.

The characterization of radioactive waste: a critical review of techniques implemented or under development at CEA, France

This review paper describes the destructive and non-destructive measurements implemented or under development at CEA, in view to perform the most complete radioactive waste characterization. First, high-energy photon imaging (radiography, tomography) brings essential information on the waste packages, such as density, position and shape of the waste inside the container and in the possible binder, quality of coating and blocking matrices, presence of internal shields or structures, presence of cracks, voids, or other defects in the container or in the matrix, liquids or other forbidden materials, etc. Radiological assessment is then performed using a series of non-destructive techniques such as gamma-ray spectroscopy, which allows characterizing a wide range of radioactive and nuclear materials, passive neutron coincidence counting and active neutron interrogation with the differential die-away technique, or active photon interrogation with high-energy photons (photofission), to measure nuclear materials. Prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) can also be employed to detect toxic chemicals or elements which can greatly influence the above measurements, such as neutron moderators or absorbers. Digital auto-radiography can also be used to detect alpha and beta contaminated waste. These non-destructive assessments can be completed by gas measurements, to quantify the radioactive and radiolysis gas releases, and by destructive examinations such as coring homogeneous waste packages or cutting the heterogeneous ones, in view to perform visual examination and a series of physical, chemical, and radiochemical analyses on samples. These last allow for instance to check the mechanical and containment properties of the package envelop, or of the waste binder, to measure toxic chemicals, to assess the activity of long-lived radionuclides or pure beta emitters, to determine the isotopic composition of nuclear materials, etc.

In Vitro Incorporation of Radioiodinated Eugenol on Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines (Caco2, MCF7, and PC3)

Recently, the synthesis of radiolabeled plant origin compounds has been increased due to their high uptake on some cancer cell lines. Eugenol (EUG), a phenolic natural compound in the essential oils of different spices such as Syzygium aromaticum (clove), Pimenta racemosa (bay leaves), and Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon leaf), has been exploited for various medicinal applications. EUG has antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory functions and several anticancer properties. The objective of this article is to synthesize radioiodinated (¹³¹I) EUG and investigate its effect on Caco2, MCF7, and PC3 adenocarcinoma cell lines. It is observed that radioiodinated EUG would have potential on therapy and imaging due to its notable uptakes in studied cells.