Tomatoes have natural anti-thrombotic effects.
The prevention of arterial thrombotic diseases has a high priority in developed countries. An inappropriate diet may be an important risk factor for thrombotic events. The daily intake of an anti-thrombotic diet may offer a convenient and effective way of prevention. The aim of the present study was to test tomato extracts for anti-thrombotic effects and to identify those varieties that have such an effect. A shear-induced platelet-function test (haemostatometry) was used to test anti-thrombotic potential in vitro. Extracts from those tomato varieties that showed a significant anti-thrombotic activity in vitro were further assessed in vivo, using a laser-induced thrombosis test in mice. One tomato variety (KG99-4) showed significant anti-thrombotic activity both in vitro and in vivo. KG99-4 inhibited not only platelet-rich thrombus formation but also had a thrombolytic effect. It is concluded that haemostatometry can detect and classify the anti-thrombotic potential of fruits and vegetables and offers a simple way of screening for such effects.
Yamamoto
J
J
Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Nutrition and High Technology Research Centre, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe, Japan. yamamoto@nutr.kobegakuin.ac.jp
Taka
T
T
Yamada
K
K
Ijiri
Y
Y
Murakami
M
M
Hirata
Y
Y
Naemura
A
A
Hashimoto
M
M
Yamashita
T
T
Oiwa
K
K
Seki
J
J
Suganuma
H
H
Inakuma
T
T
Yoshida
T
T
D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004032:Diet; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007834:Lasers; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000145:classification; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010979:Platelet Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013045:Species Specificity; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts