Background: Vascular injury initiates rapid platelet activation, which is critical for haemostasis, while it also causes fatal thrombotic diseases, such as myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke.
Objectives:To study the inhibitory effects and underlying mechanisms of XJ-8, a natural compound isolated from Sanguis draxonis, on platelet activation and thrombosis.
Methods:The regulatory effects of XJ-8 on the dense granule release, thromboxane A 2 (TxA 2 ) synthesis, α-granule release, activation of integrin αIIbβ3, and aggregation of platelets induced by multiple agonists were investigated in in vitro experiments.The effects of XJ-8 on bleeding time and FeCl 3 -induced carotid artery thrombosis were also evaluated in in vivo experiments. Furthermore, we investigated the underlying mechanisms by which XJ-8 exerted its pharmacological effects.Results: XJ-8 not only significantly inhibited the dense granule release, TxA 2 synthesis, and aggregation of platelets induced by multiple agonists, but also exerted extending effects on bleeding time and therapeutic effects on thrombotic disease. In addition, XJ-8 selectively and moderately inhibited the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 3 (MAP3K3) and the activation of signalling pathways downstream MAP3K3, which play important roles in platelet activation.
Conclusion: XJ-8 can inhibit platelet function and thrombosis by targeting MAP3K3and has potential to be developed into a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of thrombotic diseases.