Thrombolytic potential of Bangladeshi medicinal plant extracts

| Posted in: Scientific

Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: In vitro thrombolytic potential of root extracts of four medicinal plants available in Bangladesh
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:

This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.

Author:

Fahad Hussain, Md., Ariful Islam, Latifa Bulbul, Md., Mizanur Rahman Moghal, Mohammad Salim Hossain


Ancient Science of Life:

(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)

Full text available for: In vitro thrombolytic potential of root extracts of four medicinal plants available in Bangladesh

Year: 2014

Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

Thromboembolic disorders significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality rates in Bangladesh. Traditional thrombolytic agents, such as alteplase, streptokinase, and urokinase, are commonly employed to dissolve clots but exhibit notable limitations, including a lack of fibrin specificity and associated bleeding risks. Given the historical use of herbal preparations for various diseases, there is increasing interest in evaluating the thrombolytic properties of medicinal plants. This study investigates the thrombolytic potential of the root extracts of four selected plants: Acacia nilotica, Justicia adhatoda, Azadirachta indica, and Lagerstroemia speciosa.

Evaluation of Thrombolytic Activity

The research utilized an in vitro thrombolytic model to assess the clot lysis capabilities of the aforementioned plant extracts. Blood samples were collected from healthy volunteers, and clots were formed in vitro. The extracts were then tested for their ability to dissolve these clots compared to the standard thrombolytic agent, streptokinase, and saline as a negative control. Results indicated that the root extracts exhibited varying degrees of thrombolytic activity, with A. indica showing a remarkable 21.26% clot lysis activity at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. In contrast, the established thrombolytic agent, streptokinase, resulted in a significantly higher clot lysis (47.21% for 30,000 IU). These findings suggest that these medicinal plants possess the potential for clot lysis, though their effectiveness remains lower than that of conventional drugs.

Conclusion

This preliminary study demonstrates that the selected root extracts have marked thrombolytic properties, indicating their potential use in treating thromboembolic disorders. However, the study also highlights the need for further investigation to uncover the active components responsible for this activity and to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of these extracts. The findings pave the way for additional research into herbal medicine as an alternative or complementary approach to existing thrombolytic therapies with potentially fewer side effects and greater specificity.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What was the aim of the study on medicinal plants?

The study aimed to evaluate the thrombolytic potential of root extracts from selected medicinal plants: Acacia nilotica, Justicia adhatoda, Azadirachta indica, and Lagerstroemia speciosa, using an in vitro model.

What method was used for plant extraction?

Roots of the selected plants were dried, powdered, and soaked in methanol. The extracts were then filtered and concentrated using a rotary evaporator to obtain root extracts for testing.

How was the thrombolytic activity tested in this research?

The thrombolytic activity was assessed using an in vitro clot lysis model involving blood samples from healthy volunteers, comparing plant extracts against a positive control (streptokinase) and a negative control (saline).

What were the results of the thrombolytic activity testing?

The study found that the root extracts showed varying percentages of clot lysis, with Azadirachta indica exhibiting the highest activity at 21.26%, indicating significant thrombolytic potential compared to the negative control.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Thrombolytic potential of Bangladeshi medicinal plant extracts”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Science (Scientific):
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. In the context of this study, scientific methods are applied to explore the thrombolytic potential of medicinal plants, highlighting the importance of empirical evidence and research methodologies in understanding health-related phenomena.

2) Blood:
Blood is a vital fluid in the body that transports oxygen and nutrients to cells and removes waste products. In this study, venous blood samples from volunteers are crucial for evaluating the thrombolytic properties of plant extracts, demonstrating the relationship between biology and potential therapeutic applications in medicine.

3) Activity:
Activity in this study refers specifically to the clot lysis potential of the root extracts from selected plants. The recorded activities provide insights into the effectiveness of these natural extracts in promoting thrombolysis, which is significant in developing alternative therapies for conditions related to clot formation and cardiovascular health.

4) Drug:
Drug refers to any substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease. The study examines plant extracts as potential natural thrombolytic drugs, emphasizing the search for alternatives to synthetic drugs while considering the benefits and limitations associated with herbal remedies in modern medicine.

5) Azadirachta indica:
Azadirachta indica, commonly known as neem, is a plant known for its various medicinal properties. Its inclusion in the study illustrates the exploration of traditional herbal medicines for their potential thrombolytic activity, reinforcing the significance of ethnomedicine in contemporary pharmacological research aimed at cardiovascular health.

6) Water:
Water is a fundamental solvent and medium for biochemical reactions in the body. In the context of this study, saline water acts as a negative control to compare the thrombolytic effects of plant extracts, showcasing the importance of controlled conditions in experimental research to validate hypotheses regarding drug efficacy.

7) Medicine:
Medicine encompasses the science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease. The research detailed here illustrates the intersection of traditional herbal knowledge with modern medical practices, examining how plant-based remedies might contribute to developing safe and effective treatments for thrombotic conditions in clinical settings.

8) Discussion:
Discussion in a research context refers to the interpretation and implications of study results. In this article, the discussion section provides insights into the findings on thrombolytic activity of plant extracts, enabling researchers to draw conclusions about the potential of these plants in therapeutic applications and future research directions.

9) Garlic:
Garlic is a medicinal herb known for its health benefits, particularly its antimicrobial and thrombolytic properties. Mentioning garlic within the broader context of herbal interventions highlights interest in natural products for cardiovascular health, emphasizing the historical use of garlic alongside other plants in the quest for effective thrombolytic agents.

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