Analysis of Toxicity and Hemostatic Properties of Polysaccharides from Plants

Abstract

Plants are commonly used throughout the world, most particularly in Africa for different purposes including use as drugs, food and cosmetics. Polysaccharides were extracted from the cell walls of seven plants endemic to Gabon, Uvaria klainei, Petersianthus macrocarpus, Trichoscypha addonii, Aphanocalyx microphyllus, Librevillea kleaneana, Neochevalierodendron stephanii and Scorodophloeus zenkeri. Pectins and hemicelluloses from these plants were extracted using ammonium oxalate and potassium hydroxide and their sugar compositions were determined using gas chromatography. These fractions were used to test their toxicity compared to standard products such as mercuric chloride (HgCl 2), 4-Nitro-quinoloine (4-NOQ), 2-Amino-Anthracene (2AA) and ivermectin. Their anticoagulant capacity was tested by measuring Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT/QT) compared to snake venom and the heparin response. The results showed that these extracts had no cytotoxicity since the IC 50 of polysaccharide extracts and ivermectin varied from 456.62 to 892.42 µg/mL compared to standard toxic HgCl , 4-NOQ, 2AA: 1.8-22 µg/mL. No genotoxicity or pro-genotoxicity was found: the SOS test Inhibiting Factor (IF) from pectins and hemicelluloses varied from 0.4 to 1.2 compared to the standard genotoxic 4-NOQ, with an IF of 9.33. Acute toxicity was not observed, as indicated by the minimum inhibition at 20% (MIC 20) that varied from 25.45 to 65.85 for polysaccharides, while the standard toxic level was at a MIC 20 of 0.0284. However, in vitro anticoagulant activities were detected. De-esterification and enzyme degradation of the homogalacturonan pectin chains did not change the hemostatic trend of pectic fractions.

Selected Wild Plants Ethanol Extracts Bioactivity on the Coagulation Cascade

“…The observed anticoagulation effect could be referred to the inhibition of the contact factors in the intrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade [36], including the factors XII, XI, IX, and VIII [32,33]. The obtained data in this study coincide with previous literatures in that some plant extracts have anticoagulation effect via increasing the aPTT [33,37]. Among the previously mentioned effective plant species extracts on aPTT, only P. argentea did not show significant dose dependent manner (p > 0.05).…”

“…In overall the recorded results go along with literature in that biological substances in some plants (for example polysaccharide) can cause activation or inhibition to both the intrinsic and the extrinsic pathways [37]. In addition to that, many phytochemical substances attenuated the coagulation cascade and can inhibits or decrease the activity of tissue factors or thrombin [34].…”

In vitro haemostatic efficacy of aqueous, methanol and ethanol plant extracts of three medicinal plant species in Palestine

“…Furthermore, the plants are known with their carbohydrates and proteins contents which were recorded to have bioactivity on the blood haemostasis. For example, polysaccharides such as pectins and hemicelluloses that were isolated from different plant species demonstrated antithrombin and thrombolytic activity (Mengome et al, 2014). Similarly, plant lectins affect blood haemostasis by increasing both PT and aPTT (Luz et al, 2013).…”