Anticoagulant and antiplatelet activity of aqueous extracts of Citrus sinensis and Lippia alba: interactions and potential for the development of antithrombotics

Abstract

Citrus sinensis and Lippia alba are herbal medicines widely used in the form of tea (infusion, decoction), which ethanolic extracts have already shown great anticoagulant activity in vitro. For this reason, they seem to be excellent candidates for the development of new antithrombotics and also have the potential to interact with them.The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of aqueous extracts in blood coagulation and platelet aggregation, in addition to analysing the micromolecular composition of these species.Thrombin generation test (TGT) by the Calibrated Automated Thrombogram method and Platelet Aggregation Test by turbidimetry were performed to evaluate the biological activities, while the chemical composition was qualitatively evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography. Aqueous extracts were elaborated according to the folk use.All extracts were effective in reducing thrombin formation in TGT. Infusion of L. alba and infusion and decoction of C. sinensis at a concentration of 0.6 mg/ml significantly reduced platelet aggregation induced by ADP, and only the decoction of L. alba at the same concentration was able to significantly reduce collagen-induced platelet aggregation. The presence of phenylpropanoids and flavonoids in C. sinensis and L. alba extracts was verified. Furthermore, hesperidin was identified in C. sinensis through coinjection.C. sinensis and L. alba are rich in phenolics and demonstrated an in-vitro effect on important processes of haemostasis (blood coagulation, platelet agreggation), corroborating the potential of C. sinensis and L. alba for the development of antithrombotics and interact with them.

In Vitro Screening of Antimicrobial and Anti-Coagulant Activities, ADME Profiling, and Molecular Docking Study of Citrus limon L. and Citrus paradisi L. Cold-Pressed Volatile Oils

“…Plant-derived molecules are promising alternatives used to counteract the effects of such human diseases [1,2]. As coagulation and thrombosis are among the major causes of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, numerous methods of treating or preventing thrombosis have been explored [3]. It is well documented that blood coagulation is directly associated with cardiovascular diseases via many factors, such as platelet activation and factor VIII level.…”

“…Their application doses can be considered unsafe as a result of their potential interactions with other drugs. Thus, due to interference with different medicines and certain negative effects, efforts are still being made to find new safe candidates for use as anticoagulants [3,4].…”

“…They are also used as natural preservatives that preserve food from different oxidative or microbial alterations [11]. Some citrus extracts, such as aqueous extracts, essential oils and juice, have already been studied for their anticoagulant activity [3,12]. They are endowed with important broad-spectrum activities [13], and have revealed great potential in their use against bacteria and fungi [14,15].…”