This study was performed to synthesize multimodal radiopharmaceutical designed for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. To achieve this goal, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles were used as a platform for targeting molecule (PSMA-617) and for complexation of two scandium radionuclides, ⁴⁴Sc for PET imaging and ⁴⁷Sc for radionuclide therapy. TEM and XPS images showed that the Fe₃O₄ NPs have a uniform cubic shape and a size from 38 to 50 nm. The Fe₃O₄ core are surrounded by SiO₂ and an organic layer. The saturation magnetization of the SPION core was 60 emu/g. However, coating the SPIONs with silica and polyglycerol reduces the magnetization significantly. The obtained bioconjugates were labeled with ⁴⁴Sc and ⁴⁷Sc, with a yield higher than 97%. The radiobioconjugate exhibited high affinity and cytotoxicity toward the human prostate cancer LNCaP (PSMA+) cell line, much higher than for PC-3 (PSMA-) cells. High cytotoxicity of the radiobioconjugate was confirmed by radiotoxicity studies on LNCaP 3D spheroids. In addition, the magnetic properties of the radiobioconjugate should allow for its use in guide drug delivery driven by magnetic field gradient.

Background: 6-Gingerol (6G) and 6-Shogaol (6S) are the main active components of ginger. 6-Gingerol is known for its anti-metastatic and anti-invasive pharmacological activities on cancer cells, besides, 6-Shogaol also inhibits breast cancer cell invasion.Objective: In this study, radioiodination (¹³¹I) of 6G and 6S was aimed. Additionally, it is aimed to monitor their incorporation behavior on breast cancer cell lines.Methods: 6-Gingerol was isolated from the fresh ginger-roots extract, additionally, dehydrated to obtain 6-Shogaol. 6G and 6S were radioiodinated using iodogen method. Quality control studies of radioiodinated ginger compounds (6G and 6S) were performed by thin layer radio-chromatography. In vitro studies of radioiodinated ginger compounds on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were performed with incorporation assays.Results: 6-Gingerol and 6-Shogaol were radioiodinated (¹³¹I-6G and¹³¹I-6S) in high yields over 95%.¹³¹I-6S demonstrated higher incorporation values than¹³¹I-6G on MDA-MB-231 cells. Incorporation behavior of¹³¹I-6G and¹³¹I-6S was similar to MCF-7 cells.Conclusion: It has been observed that ginger compounds were radioiodinated successfully and¹³¹I-6S have a noteworthy incorporation on MDA-MB-231 cells which is a known breast carcinoma cell line with highly invasive characteristics.

Objective:: Epilepsy is one of the oldest and the most common chronic neurological diseases. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the backbone of epilepsy treatment. However, epileptogenesis has not been fully elucidated. One of the critical reasons for this is the lack of reliable biomarkers. Neuroimaging suggests a non-invasive examination and investigation tool that can detect critical pathophysiological changes involved in epileptogenesis and monitor disease progression. In the current study, the radiolabeling potential of Zonisamide (ZNS) (the secondgeneration AED) with Technetium-99m (99mTc) is examined to neuroimage the epileptogenic processes by contributing to the development of potential radiotracers. Methods:: ZNS was labeled with 99mTc and the radiochemical yield of [99mTc]Tc-ZNS was determined with TLRC (Thin Layer Liquid Radio Chromatography and HPLRC (High Performance Liquid Radio Chromatography) radiochromatographic methods. In vitro behavior of [99mTc]Tc-ZNS was determined with time-dependent uptake of [99mTc]Tc-ZNS on the SHSY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Results:: The radiochemical yield of [99mTc]Tc-ZNS was determined as 98.03 ± 1.24% (n = 6) according to radiochromatographic studies results. [99mTc]Tc-ZNS demonstrated 5.38 and 6.18 times higher uptake values than the control group on the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line at 120 and 240 minutes, respectively. Conclusion:: This study showed that the current radiolabeled antiepileptic drug has a diagnostic potential to be used in imaging neurological processes.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of individuals globally. It is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNc) and striatum. Neuroimaging techniques such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) help diagnosing PD. In this study, the focus was on developing technetium-99 m ([^99mTc]Tc) radiolabeled drug delivery systems using plant-derived compounds for the diagnosis of PD. Madecassoside (MA), a plant-derived compound, was conjugated with Levodopa (L-DOPA) to form MA-L-DOPA, which was then encapsulated using Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) to create MA-PLGA and MA-L-DOPA-PLGA nanocapsules. Extensive structural analysis was performed using various methods such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to characterize the synthesized products. Radiochemical yields of radiolabeled compounds were determined using thin layer radio chromatography (TLRC) and high performance liquid radio chromatography (HPLRC) methods. In vitro cell culture studies were conducted on human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cell lines to assess the incorporation of [^99mTc]Tc radiolabeled compounds ([^99mTc]Tc-MA, [^99mTc]Tc-MA-L-DOPA, [^99mTc]Tc-MA-PLGA and [^99mTc]Tc-MA-L-DOPA-PLGA) and the cytotoxicity of inactive compounds (MA and MA-L-DOPA compounds and encapsulated compounds (MA-PLGA and MA-L-DOPA-PLGA). Additionally, the biodistribution studies were carried out on healthy male Sprague–Dawley rats and a Parkinson’s disease experimental model to evaluate the compounds’ bioactivity using the radiolabeled compounds. The radiochemical yields of all radiolabeled compounds except [^99mTc]Tc-L-DOPA-PLGA were above 95% and had stability over 6 h. The cytotoxic effects of all substances on SH-SY5Y and PC-12 cells increase with increasing concentration values. The uptake values of PLGA-encapsulated compounds are statistically significant in SH-SY5Y and PC-12 cells. The biodistribution studies showed that [99mTc]Tc-MA is predominantly retained in specific organs and brain regions, with notable uptake in the prostate, muscle, and midbrain. PLGA-encapsulation led to higher uptake in certain organs, suggesting its biodegradable nature may enhance tissue retention, and surface modifications might further optimize brain penetration. Overall, the results indicate that radiolabeled plant-derived encapsulated drug delivery systems with [^99mTc]Tc hold potential as diagnostic agents for PD symptoms. This study contributes to the advancement of drug delivery agents in the field of brain research.