Dr. Sehrish Zaffar
CMH Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan
Title: Effect Of Justicia Adhatoda (Malabar Nut) Leaf Extract On Drug-Induced Coagulopathy In Mice And In-Vitro Platelet Aggregation Of Human Blood
Biography
Biography: Dr. Sehrish Zaffar
Abstract
Statement of Problem: Oral antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs are commonly prescribed to patients with cardiovascular diseases. Despite being life-saving, these drugs have one major adverse effect that they can cause spontaneous hemorrhage, which can be fatal. Development of a hemostatic agent can help in quick and effective management of drug-induced hemorrhages.
Objective: This study was devised to observe the effect of leaf extract of Justicia adhatoda on coagulation profile in mice and to evaluate its effect on in-vitro platelet aggregation.
Methods: The study was divided into three parts. First part was designed to evaluate the effect of different doses of leaf extract of J. adhatoda on bleeding time in mice. Dose that produced maximum decrease in bleeding time was chosen for further in-vivo coagulation studies. Second part of the study was to observe the effect of J. adhatoda leaf extract on coagulation parameters. Three drugs were used to induce coagulopathy viz., warfarin, aspirin and dabigatran. Bleeding time, platelet count, PT, INR and APTT were estimated. Third part of this study was devised to observe the effect of J. adhatoda leaf extract on in vitro platelet aggregation. Percent aggregation was recorded by light transmission aggregometer for three minutes.
Results: Leaf extract of J. adhatoda decreased bleeding time in mice. There was no effect on the coagulation parameters. Platelet count increased significantly only in the aspirin treated group that received the extract. Platelet aggregation increased in a dose dependent manner.
Conclusion: J. adhatoda leaf extract is effective in controlling excessive bleeding due to aspirin induced platelet dysfunction, but has no role in reversing the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and dabigatran.