Assessment of Physicochemical Parameters of an Anethum graveolens Aqueous Extract and the Effects on the Labeling of Blood Constituents with Technetium-99m

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Anethum graveolens (AG) has been used both medicinally and as an aromatic herb and spice in cookery. Some pharmacological effects have been reported such as antibacterial, hypolipidemic, antihypercholesterolemic and antioxidant activities. There are no studies that evaluate the physicochemical parameters of AG and its influence with radiopharmaceutical. This study investigated the physicochemical parameters of the AG extract and the effects on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m (^99mTc) withdrawn from Wistar rats. An aqueous extract of AG was prepared and physicochemical parameters (absorption spectrum, electric conductivity, refractive index and pH was) were studied. Blood samples were incubated with AG extract or with NaCl solution 0.9%, as control. After, stannous chloride, as reducing agent, and ^99mTc, as sodium pertechnetate, were added. Plasma and blood cells samples were separated. Other 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 430 nm, electric conductivity and refractive index were higher and pH was more acid in highest concentration. The extract of AG did not alter the labeling of the blood constituents with ^99mTc. Conclusion: The determination of these physicochemical parameters would contribute to characterize the AG aqueous extract. Moreover, probably the antioxidant properties associated with the substances of AG extract were responsible for the absence of effect of this extract on the labeling of blood constituents with ^99mTc.