The effect of Juglans nigra L. green husk extracts on the biodistribution of radiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate in mice

Abstract

Juglans nigra L. (Black walnut) green husk contains a variety of useful chemical compounds with numerous health benefits. However, the biological effects of these compounds are not fully known. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of the extracts from J. nigra green husks on the biodistribution of the sodium pertechenetate (Na99mTcO4). The extract was orally administered to the healthy Wistar rats (male, 1-month-old, weighing 89.4±3.4g) at single doses of 13.7 mg/kg/day by gavage for 10 days. On the eleventh day, 0.1 ml (approximately 148 kBq) of the Na99mTcO4 was injected into the tail vein. Rats were sacrificed at different time intervals and the radioactivity in the organs of interest was measured in a gamma counter with a NaI (Tl) detector. The percentage of radioactivity per organ (%ID/organ) was calculated. The organ uptake of the Na99mTcO4 in an additional control group of animals was also studied. The results obtained showed an alteration in the organ uptake of Na99mTcO4 in rats treated with extract. The radiopharmaceutical Na99mTcO4 is generally distributed throughout the vasculature and interstitial fluid and is concentrated in the stomach, intestinal tract, thyroid and salivary glands. After treatment of rats with the extract, there was a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05) in the uptake of Na99mTcO4 (%ID/organ) in the thyroid, heart, kidneys, liver and colon, and an increase in intestinal uptake compared to controls. These results are associated with properties of the chemical compounds present in the J. nigra extract. We assume that the compounds from the extract J. nigra could promote physiological modifications in these organs and alter the biodistribution of Na99mTcO4 in the treated animals. Although these research studies were performed in animals, the findings suggest that caution should be exercised while interpreting the results of Na99mTcO4 based nuclear medicine examinations in patients using J. nigra extract from green husk.