NELUMBO NUCIFERA (LOTUS) LEAF EXTRACTS IN VITRO ANTICOAGULANT ACTIVITY ON NORMAL HEALTHY BLOOD PLASMA

*Dr. Nabeela M. Khan, Dr. Pankaj Surve and Dr. Aparna Ghotankar

ABSTRACT

Formation of clots within the walls of damaged blood vessels is called haemostasis. To maintain intravascular blood in a fluid state and to prevent abnormal bleeding , in this study we aimed to evaluate the possible anticoagulant effect of leaf extracts of Nelumbo nucifera. Materials and Methods: For in vitro prothrombin time(PT) The aqueous, methanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate extracts of N. nucifera at different concentrations were tested. In different concentrations 0.5, 0.25, 0.125, and 0.062 g/ml. The invitro anticoagulant effect of different extracts of N nucifera were examined using plasma, from blood samples of normal individuals by measuring PT. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and saline in distilled water were used as a negative and positive control, respectively. The extract plasma was subjected to anticoagulation activity and was compared with EDTA-plasma and saline plasma. Results: The methanol leaf extract of N. nucifera was found to inhibit coagulation process in 60 min: 3 s in 0.5 g/ml. The time taken for clotting at the concentration of 0.5 g/methanol leaf extract showed the moderate effect of 10 min:20 s with respect to control while ethyl acetate extract showed the least effect of 8 min: 23 s compared to control. Overall, the concentration of 0.5 g/ml of leaf extract showed a maximum effect in all the tested extracts with respect to other concentrations 0.25, 0.125, and 0.062 g/ml. Thus, N. nucifera methanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate leaf extract in different concentrations inhibits clot formation and increases the PT in a dose-dependent manner. Due to the presence of certain phytochemical constituents in the crude extract prolonged prothrombin activity could be observed. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids and steroid compounds in the crude extract and further, the active principles could be isolated and evaluated for clinical or physiological purposes. Conclusion: In vitro, anticoagulant activity studies results demonstrated that leaf extract N. nucifera possesses pharmacologically active anticoagulant components which could be helpful in preventing blood clotting disorders. Thus, as a supplementary source of natural anticoagulant in future N nucifera leaf could be used.

Keywords: Hemostasis, phytochemical, prothrombin time, clotting factors, calcium.