Antioxidant and Anti-Thrombotic Properties of Selected Plant Extracts of Asia

Research Article

Austin J Nutr Metab. 2014;1(1): 6.

Antioxidant and Anti-Thrombotic Properties of Selected Plant Extracts of Asia

Rao TP1*, Htay HH1, Yasuda NK1, Sugino H1, Ohkubo1, Hayashi T2, Okamoto T2 and Suzuki K2

1Nutrition Division, Central Research Laboratories, Japan

2Department of Molecular Pathobiology, Mie University, Japan

*Corresponding author: Rao TP, International Division, Taiyo Kagaku Co, Ltd, 800 Yamada-cho, Yokkaichi, Mie 512-1111, Japan

Received: September 12, 2014; Accepted: October 16, 2014; Published: October 17, 2014

Abstract

Emblica officinalis Gaertn, Hibiscus sabdariffa L, Acacia concinna DC, Xanthium strumarium L, Swertia pulchella Buch Ham, Vitis repens Wight & Arn Prodr, Hizikia fusiforme and Momordica charantia L. are commonly used in food and traditional medicine of Asia. In order to establish the scientific basis of their medicinal properties and to use them as a functional food ingredient in the improvement of thrombosis, their aqueous extracts were subjected to the analysis of anti-oxidative and anti-thrombotic properties. Superoxide and DPPH radical scavenging activities, anti-thrombotic activities such as inhibition of thrombin, collagen, ADP and ristocetin induced platelet aggregation and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT), Prothrombin Time (PT) were measured in vitro. The plant species were ranked based on each specific activity. Among the species, E. officinalis ranked high with strong antioxidant activity and high inhibition of platelet aggregation against three agonists. Whereas, H fusiforme and H sabdariffa showed strong anti-coagulant activity despite having low antioxidant and anti-platelet activities. In conclusion, the plant species were significantly different in their antioxidant, anticoagulant and anti-platelet activities. The results suggest that the antioxidant activities might not necessarily to be related to the anti-thrombosis effect of the species, which means the components responsible for anti-oxidant and anti-thrombosis might not necessary be the same. E. officinalis may compose the components responsible for both antioxidant and antithrombosis activities could be considered as a strong functional food ingredient for prevention and suppression of oxidative stress and thrombosis.

Keywords: Antioxidants; Anti-thrombosis; E. officinalis; H. sabdariffa; A. concinna; V. repens

Abbreviations

APTT: Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time; PT: Prothrombin Time; CVD: Cardiovascular Disease; ROS: Reactive Oxygen Species

Introduction

According to World Health Organization report [1], eighty percent of population in Asia and African countries relies on traditional medicine for their primary health care. Folk medication is mostly based on natural food sources like fruits, vegetables and herbs. The polyphenols in grapes and cocoa [2] and tea [3] were reported to have preventive effects on arterial thrombosis and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), which is the major mortality risk disease in many countries. Indeed, the polyphenols found in ordinary foods act as antioxidants to scavenge Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which are usually produced during the physiological and biochemical processes within the body. Various cultures and traditions around the world suggest a regular intake of foods like tomatoes, garlic, ginger and other indigenous vegetables for healthy living and good blood circulation. These findings have been partially accepted in some scientific investigations [4,5].

Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals production and antioxidants availability in the body cells. The oxidative stress in the vascular endothelium cells is largely associated to atherosclerosis and thrombosis [6,7]. On the other hand, high blood lipid profiles and platelet aggregation in blood vessels leads to hypertension, a major high risk factor in Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and heart attack [8]. Therefore, oxidative stress and thrombosis are the common factors linked to metabolic syndrome and CVD [9]. From this view point, plant polyphenols are subjected to increased investigation for their anti-oxidant and anti-thrombotic properties.

The aim of this study was to identity the potent anti-oxidant and anti-thrombotic food material, which are commonly used in food and traditional folk medicine in south and south-east Asia. For this purpose we have selected plant species namely Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.), Chin Boung (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Kin Pun Chin (Acacia concinna), Nigauri (Mormodica charantia), Sei Kar (Swerita pulchella), Onamomi (Xanthium strumarium), Tapindine Mya Nan (Vitis repens), Hijiki (Hizikia fusiforme), which are popularly used in the indigenous medicine of tropical countries like India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Malay Peninsula area. In this study, aqueous extracts of these plant species were prepared and examined their antioxidant and antithrombotic effects.

Materials and Methods

Ethno-pharmacological background of the plant materials

The list of plant species and parts used in this study was listed in Table 1. Traditional medicinal uses of these plants are known to prevent diseases or medical conditions such as diabetes, hepatitis, ulcers, hypertension, and digestive dysfunction. The fruits of E. officinalis (India; Sp. Pl. 982.1753) has been prevalent in use in various traditional medicine [10] like Ayurvedic medicine in India, herbal medicine in Tibet, China, and Myanmar. It is considered as an almighty fruit with strong antioxidant and several prophylactic properties in Ayurveda. The leaves and fruits H. sabdariffa (Myanmar; Sp. Pl. 695.1753) are extensively used as anti-hypertensive herb in food and beverages in more than thirteen countries in Asia, Southern Africa, South America and Australia [11,12]. The leaves of A. concinna (Myanmar; Sp. P. 4: 1090.1806) have been used to prevent diabetes and skin diseases in Myanmar, India and Thailand [13]. The fruits of M. charantia (Japan; Sp. Pl. 1009.1753) are widely consumed to promote blood health in Asian countries including Japan. The whole parts of bitter species S. pulchella (India; GBIF 108634372) are used for the prevention of digestive dysfunction in the folk medicine of Myanmar and China [14]. The fruits of X. strumarium (Myanmar; Sp. Pl. 987.1753) are used as an herbal medicine in China. V. repens (Myanmar; AD96233094) is used for ulcers, hepatitis and jaundice in the herbal medicines of Myanmar and India [15,16]. H. fusiforme (Japan; GBIF 3196919) is well known for its nutritional benefits in Japan and Korea.