Radiolabeling of methanol extracts of yarrow (Achillea millefolium l) in rats.

PURPOSE Current study is focused on extraction with methanol, purification, labeling with (131)I using iodogen method of the yarrow plant and investigating in vivo biological activity using biodistribution and imaging studies on healthy animal models. The aim of the study is to contribute plant extracts to discover new drugs in the diagnosis and treatment of several diseases. METHODS Nine female and nine male healthy Wistar albino rats, which were approximately 100-150 g in weight, were used for biodistribution studies. For imaging studies four healthy male Balb-C mice were used. Quality control studies were done utilizing thin layer radio chromatography (TLRC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. For biodistribution studies, (131)I radiolabeled Peak 7 ((131)I-Peak 7) was sterilized and injected into the tail veil of rats and imaging studies were obtained using Kodak FX PRO in vivo Imaging System. RESULTS The radiolabeling yield of each purified the bioactive extracts of the yarrow plant, seven peaks was between 79 and 92%. The highest radiolabeling yield was calculated for (131)I radiolabeled seventh peak ((131)I-Peak 7) (92.78 ± 5.04, n=5). For this reason the biodistribution and imaging studies were done for (131)I-Peak 7. That's why; these studies with Peak 7 were carried out. CONCLUSION Peak 7 was radiolabeled with (131)I in high yield for using imaging and therapeutic studies in nuclear medical applications.