Abstract:
Blood clotting is a complex sequence of processes involving multiple proteins (factors) that must operate in a specific order to create a clot. The procedure is rapid and effective, but it must be monitored because uncontrolled clotting can lead to thrombosis. A shift in the balance of blood coagulation and coagulation inhibition, favoring either pro- or anticoagulation, can result in life-threatening thromboembolism or bleeding. This study evaluated the effect of ethanol Phyllanthus amarus extract and n-hexadecanoic acid on blood coagulation parameters of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in Wistar rats. Thirty rats were used for the study and were divided into six different groups with each group containing five rats. Oral administration of plant extract lasted for twenty-one days after which inflammation was induced in the rats with a single dose of lipopolysaccharide (1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Blood coagulation parameters like prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and fibrinogen concentration were parameters considered in testing clotting time. The packed cell volume (PCV) of the experimental rats was also determined. The result of the study showed there was significantly shorter (p < 0.05) PT, and increased fibrinogen concentrations in the treatment groups compared with the negative and normal control groups. Fibrinogen concentration in the experimental animals showed a shortened clotting time that was more pronounced in the negative control group. There was no significant difference in the PCV of the experimental animals. The aPTT is shortened in the positive control when compared with the normal control (p=0.0226). This indicates the procoagulant activity of the Phyllanthus amarus extract and n-hexadecanoic acid.
