Authors : Franklin P. S. Soares, Fabricio M. Rapuano , Roberta A. Framil , Glaucio F. Dire , Maria L. Gomes and Mario Bernardo-Filho
Abstract: Stannous (Sn), as fluoride or chloride, is frequently employed to label cells with Technetium-99m (99mTc) to be used as radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers. Stannous chloride (SnCl2) is employed as a reducing agent to obtain Technetium-99m-labelled radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine kits, being inject endovenously in humans. Toxic effects of these kits were not studied, thus making it important to evaluate their impact in humans. The use of natural extracts as medicines is growing around the world. The Ageratum conysoides is a plant with analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, depurative, febrifuge, stimulant and vulnerary properties. In order to analyze the effects of the referred extract, in this study plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was exposed to the A. conysoides extract (aqueous extract) (0.1g.mL-1) in presence of stannous chloride (SnCl2). Samples of the plasmid DNA were analyzed through agarose gel electrophoresis. Concerning to the results obtained it was noticed that the refereed extract were capable of damaging the DNA in the presence and in the absent of SnCl2.
Franklin P. S. Soares, Fabricio M. Rapuano , Roberta A. Framil , Glaucio F. Dire , Maria L. Gomes and Mario Bernardo-Filho , 2004. Study of the Effect of an Ageratum conyzoides Linn. Extract on the Plasmid pUC 9.1 DNA. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 3: 335-338.