Antiplatelet, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic effects of Litchi chinensis Sonn. extract

Abstract

Abstract. Litchi chinensis Sonn. (lychee), which belongs to the family of Sapindaceae, is a subtropical evergreen tree that is cultivated throughout Southeast Asia, particularly in China. Litchi chinensis has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. However, the antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects of Litchi chinensis have not been reported previously. In this study, we investigated the effects of a 70% ethanol extract from Litchi chinensis (LCE) on platelet aggregation, coagulation and fibrinolysis. LCE dose-dependently inhibited collagen-and ADP-induced platelet aggregation in rat platelet-rich plasma. LCE at 4 mg/ml had a maximal inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation. In particular, the LCE 4 mg/ml-treated group showed almost complete inhibition in the collagen-induced platelet aggregation assay. It also significantly prolonged coagulation times, such as the activated partial thromboplastin and prothrombin time, in rat platelet-poor plasma. We also investigated the fibrinolytic effects of LCE using the fibrin plate assay. LCE increased fibrinolytic activity in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrated the antithrombotic effects of LCE and suggest that Litchi chinensis may be a new natural source for the development of antiplatelet, anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapeutics for thrombotic and cardiovascular diseases. IntroductionPlatelets circulate in the blood and play essential roles in hemostasis and repair of the endothelial wall in a physiological state (1). This is achieved primarily by thrombus formation when damage occurs to the endothelial cell layer of blood vessels. However, excessive platelet aggregation produces a pathological thrombus and plays a major role in the initiation and pathogenesis of atherothrombotic diseases (2). An abnormal thrombus within the vascular system can obstruct the flow of blood and nutrients to important tissues. As a result, it can cause a variety of cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, stroke and ischemic heart disease, and is a leading cause of death (3). Thus, inhibition of platelet aggregation is important in preventing the progression of atherosclerosis and arterial thromboses (4).A thrombus is composed of fibrin, which is produced from its precursor, fibrinogen, by thrombin. An inappropriate fibrin clot must be eliminated rapidly by fibrinolysis to maintain homeostasis (5). Dissolution of a fibrin clot is dependent on the action of plasmin, a serine protease that is activated by tissue plasminogen activator. In clinical therapy, thrombolytic agents (fibrinolytic enzymes), such as tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase, convert inactive plasminogen to active plasmin, allowing fibrinolysis to occur (6). Antiplatelet agents, such as aspirin and clopidogrel, are widely used and directly inhibit platelet aggregation. However, use of these agents is limited as they can lead to serious side effects, such as headache, vomiting, and gastric ulceration, and are costly (7,8).Litchi chinensis Son...

Plant-Derived Compounds and Extracts as Modulators of Plasmin Activity—A Review

“…Numerous reports devoted to pro-fibrinolytic or thrombolytic activity of different plant extracts or isolated compounds have been published so far [ 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 , 120 , 121 ]. Using plants as sources of fibrinolytic substances seems to be an attractive prospect for future research, but as yet, most of the available data derive from basic in vitro screening tests employing whole blood or plasma fibrin clots ( Table 5 ).…”

Development and significance of RAPD-SCAR markers for the identification of Litchi chinensis Sonn. by improved RAPD amplification and molecular cloning

“…Litchi is an edible fruit and is used in traditional medicine. As a traditional medicine, the fruit and its secondary metabolic products have been reported to have anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, antiplatelet and anticoagulant, and antidiabetic activities [5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12].…”

A glucose/mannose binding lectin from litchi ( Litchi chinensis ) seeds: Biochemical and biophysical characterizations

“…Litchi chinensis extract was reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities [12] . Recently it has been documented that Litchi chinensis extract showed antiplatelet, anticoagulant and thrombolytic activity and this could be a new natural source for the development of therapeutics for thrombosis and cardiovascular disease [13] .…”