Spirulan from Blue‐Green Algae Inhibits Fibrin and Blood Clots: Its Potent Antithrombotic Effects

Abstract

We investigated in vitro and in vivo fibrinolytic and antithrombotic activity of spirulan and analyzed its partial biochemical properties. Spirulan, a sulfated polysaccharide from the blue-green alga Arthrospira platensis, exhibits antithrombotic potency. Spirulan showed a strong fibrin zymogram lysis band corresponding to its molecular mass. It specifically cleaved Aα and Bβ, the major chains of fibrinogen. Spirulan directly decreased the activity of thrombin and factor X activated (FXa), procoagulant proteins. In vitro assays using human fibrin and mouse blood clots showed fibrinolytic and hemolytic activities of spirulan. Spirulan (2 mg/kg) showed antithrombotic effects in the ferric chloride (FeCl3 )-induced carotid arterial thrombus model and collagen and epinephrine-induced pulmonary thromboembolism mouse model. These results may be attributable to the prevention of thrombus formation and partial lysis of thrombus. Therefore, we suggest that spirulan may be a potential antithrombotic agent for thrombosis-related diseases.

Antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects of cordycepin-enriched WIB-801CE from Cordyceps militaris ex vivo, in vivo, and in vitro

“…In this study, in vivo venous antithrombotic effect of WIB-801CE was estimated using collagen plus epinephrine-induced acute pulmonary thromboembolism mouse model [23, 49–51]. As shown in Table 4, when the mixture of collagen plus epinephrine was treated to mice, the protection rate was 4.2% against acute pulmonary thromboembolism, and the mortality rate was 95.8%.…”

In vitro and in vivo antithrombotic and cytotoxicity effects of ferulic acid

“…In previous studies, we have studied the antithrombotic effect of Cudrania tricuspidata , and this plant‐derived bioactive compounds . We discovered recently in vitro antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and cytotoxicity effects of ferulic acid, bioactive polyphenolic compound.…”

“…Tail bleeding time was measured by using the tail‐transection test as described earlier . Mice were anesthetized as described above and the tested samples (aspirin [10 mg/kg] and ferulic acid [10 and 20 mg/kg]) were injected intravenously in the tail veins of mice.…”

Investigation of the anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects of chlorogenic acid

“…With slight modification of the method previously suggested, activity of thrombin, FXa, and FXIIIa was measured. To measure thrombin activity, various concentrations (1, 5, and 10 μg) of chlorogenic acid in a volume of 100 μL were mixed with 20 μL of human thrombin (40 mU) in 20 mM Tris–HCl.…”

“…We recently investigated the antithrombotic activity of some plants including D. morbiera Léveille (Araliaceae) and C. tricuspidata (Carr.) Bureau ex Lavallee (Moraceae), and various compounds, including flavonoids and polyphenols, which have potent biological activities and are from nonanimal sources . Among these compounds, we discovered newly the anticoagulant, antiplatelet, and antithrombotic activity of chlorogenic acid, which belongs to natural polyphenol.…”