Affiliation:
1. Biomedical Engineering Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering University of Tehran Tehran Iran
2. Herbal Systematic Lab, Central Herbarium, School of Biology, College of Science University of Tehran Tehran Iran
3. Medical Image Analysis Laboratory, Department of Radiology Henry Ford Health System Detroit Michigan USA
Abstract
ABSTRACTThis study explores the potential of halophytes, plants adapted to saline environments, as a novel source for developing herbal MRI contrast agents. Halophytes naturally accumulate various metals within their tissues. These metal ions, potentially complexed with organic molecules, are released into aqueous solutions prepared from the plants. We investigated the ability of these compounds to generate contrast enhancement in MRI using a sequential approach. First, aqueous extracts were prepared from seven selected halophytes, and their capacity to induce contrast in MR images was evaluated. Based on these initial findings, sample halophytes were chosen for further investigations. Second, chemical analysis revealed aluminum as the primary potent metal which enhances the contrast. Third, the halophyte extract was fractionated based on polarity, and the most polar fraction exhibited the strongest contrast‐generating effect. Finally, the relaxivity of this fraction, a key parameter for MRI contrast agents, was measured. We propose that aluminum, likely complexed with a polar molecule within the plant extract, is responsible for the observed contrast enhancement in MRI.