Extraction, purification and radioiodination of Khellin as cancer theranostic agent

Highlights: • Khellin was extracted from the fresh fruits of Ammivisnaga and full characterized. • Radiolabeling of Khellin with ¹³¹I was successfully achieved with a high radiochemical yield. • In-vivo study of [¹³¹I]iodo-khellin in tumour bearing mice revealed its preferential localization at tumour tissue. • The docking study confirmed good affinity of iodo-khellin to the predicted targets. Khellin was successfully extracted from Ammi visnaga fruits with a recovery percent of 96.15%. Next radio-iodination of Khellin was successfully achieved with a high yield. The biodistribution study of [¹³¹I]iodo-khellin in tumour bearing mice revealed that khellin preferentially localization at tumour tissue. Target prediction study for [¹³¹I]iodo-khellin revealed that PI3K and VEGFR are potential targets for iodo-khellin with good affinity. The results of this study potentiate [¹³¹I]iodo-khellin as a good theranostic agent for tumour imaging and therapy.