THROMBOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF HERBAL MIXTURE CONTAINING AQUEOUS CRUDE EXTRACTS

Abstract

Objectives: Thrombolytics are used in the management of thrombosis. They all work by activating the plasminogen into plasmin which dissolves the clots. But the major drawbacks with them are bleeding and anaphylactic reactions. Natural plants and their products with thrombolytic potential and being economical and safe can be considered as an alternative for cardiovascular diseases associated with thrombus. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate thrombolytic activity of a herbal mixture containing aqueous crude extracts of pericarp of Punica granatum, rhizome of Zingiber officinale and fruits of Phyllanthus emblica.

Methods: The In-Vitro clot lysis activity of 100µl of various proportions of herbal mixtures was studied by comparing with 100µl streptokinase as a positive control and 100µl of isotonic normal saline as negative control.

Results: In our study streptokinase was able to dissolve 68.5% of the clot. The aqueous extracts of Punica granatum, Zingiber officinale and Phyllanthus emblica on  an average were able to dissolve 37.42%, 30.03% and 34.31% of the clot respectively. And the herbal mixture at 1:1:1 of Punica granatum, Zingiber officinale and Phyllanthus emblica was able to dissolve 40.19% of the clot.

Conclusions: From the present investigation it can be concluded that the herbal mixture possessed thrombolytic properties to some extent and can be a subject for further studies in this field.