Preparation and preliminary evaluation study of [¹³¹I]iodocolchicine-gallic-AuNPs: a potential scintigraphic agent for inflammation detection

Abstract

Background

Nanomedicine offers great potential for scintigraphic diagnostic imaging with lower risk and higher quality compared to other traditional techniques.

Objectives

This work aimed to develop and evaluate gold nanoparticles combined with gallic acid (gallic-AuNPs) and [¹³¹I]iodocolchicine as a scintigraphic probe for inflammation.

Methods

[¹³¹I]iodocolchicine-gallic-AuNPs were synthesized via chemical reduction method where gallic acid was used as reducing agent and [¹³¹I]iodocolchicine was used as stabilizing agent. Then a characteristic profile for the synthesized nano-platform was performed including size analysis, zeta potential, radiochemical yield and in-vivo biodistribution in inflammation bearing mice.

Results and Conclusion

This platform was successfully synthesized with good stability, appropriate particle size (10 nm diameter for AuNPs), and high radiochemical purity for [¹³¹I]iodocolchicine (96.79%). The in-vivo study indicated that [¹³¹I]iodocolchicine-gallic-AuNPs accumulated with a high target to non-target ratio in intravenous injection and high retention value in intra-inflammation injection in inflammation model. The obtained data supported the usefulness of the new platform ([¹³¹I]iodocolchicine-gallic-AuNPs) as a tracer for the detection and localization of inflammation.

Keywords:

• Gallic-AuNPs
• colchicine
• inflammation
• scintigraphy
• ¹³¹I-radiolabeling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Basma M. Essa

Basma M. Essa, PhD, is a lecturer of radiochemistry at Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Essa is interested in synthesis, radiolabeling and bio-evaluation of organic compounds, nanoparticles and pharmaceuticals for nuclear medicine applications.

Adli A. Selim

Adli A. Selim, PhD, is a lecturer of radiochemistry and an operator on I-131 production hot cell at Radioisotope Production Facility- Egyptian Research Nuclear Reactor complex, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Selim is interested in synthesis, radiolabeling and bio-evaluation of organic compounds and pharmaceuticals for nuclear medicine applications.

O. A. El-Kawy

O.A. El-Kawy is a senior scientist at the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority. He also serves as a Consultant for the Biosafety clearing-house project, Division of Environmental Laws, United Nations Environmental Programme. He is an interdisciplinary researcher and postgraduate lecturer with a background in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Microbiology. His research over the past 18 years focused on biosafety issues, radiopharmaceuticals, cancer detection and therapy, discrimination between septic and aseptic inflammations, and receptors targeting. He has represented Egypt and the scientific profession at numerous international forums and meetings.

Gamal Abdelaziz

Gamal Abdelaziz, PhD, is working as a lecturer (Researcher) of Microbial Biotechnology & Molecular Biology at Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt. Gamal is mainly interested therapeutic and industrial proteins expression, production, folding and formulation, gene designing and assembly, detection and therapy of cancer via radiopharmaceutical developing, nano biotechnology and isolation of extremophilic microbes from harshness environment.