Authors : G. Dire, M. Lima, Gomes and M. Bernardo-Filho
Abstract: An increasing number of people in the world are using natural products. The constituents of herbal products can cause adverse effects. We evaluated the influence of a chayotte (Sechium edule) extract on the morphology of red blood cells and on the radiolabeling of blood elements with technetium-99m (99mTc). In our study, blood was withdraw from Wistar rats. Samples of blood were treated with chayotte extract (decoct) in different concentrations (100; 50; 25; 12.5 and 6.25%v/v) during 1 hour. After that blood was incubated with stannous chloride for more 1 hour. Eplased this time 99mTc as Sodium pertechnetate was added and the incubation continued for more 10 minutes. Plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were isolated, also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid and soluble (SF) and insoluble fractions (IF) separated. For the morphology analysis, samples of the blood were collected and smears were prepared. The blood smears were dried, fixed and stained. The analysis was done by video optical microscope using image pro-plus program. In our results it was observed that the referred extract was not capable of altering the radiolabeling of blood elements although it was capable to alter the morphology of red blood cels in the highest concentration. The effect of chayotte extract probably, could be explained by an effect which migh alter the stabilizing activity of the red blood cell membrane.
G. Dire, , Lima, M. , Gomes and M. Bernardo-Filho , 2004. Assessment In vitro of the Effect of a Chayotte (Sechium edule) Extract (decoct) on the Morphology of Red Blood Cells and on the Labeling of Blood Elements with Techetium-99M . Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 2: 46-54.