Abstract

This investigation evaluated physicochemical parameters and the effect on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m of a Solanum melongena aqueous extract. A commercial S. melongena was used to prepare an aqueous extract and visible absorbance spectrum, electric conductivity and refractive index were determined. Blood samples fromWistar rats were incubated with S. melongena extract or with 0.9% NaCl solution as control. After, stannous chloride as reducing agent and technetium-99m as sodium pertechnetate were added. Plasma and blood cells samples were separated. Samples of plasma and blood cells were also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid and soluble and insoluble fractions were separated. The radioactivity in each fraction was counted and the percentage of radioactivity incorporated was calculated. Data showed an absorbance peak at 500 nm and electric conductivity and refractive index were higher at the highest extract concentrations. S. melongena extract did not interfere on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99 m. The determination of these physicochemical parameters would contribute to characterize a S. melongena aqueous extract. Moreover, as the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m depends on the presence of reducing agent, the absence of effect of this extract in this radiolabeling process could be associated with its redox properties.

Key words: Solanum melongena, eggplant, labeling, technetium-99 m, physicochemical parameters.