Inhibition of blood platelet adhesion, aggregation and secretion by Artemisia dracunculus leaves extracts.
BACKGROUND
Platelet hyperactivity plays an important role in atherosclerosis and arterial thrombosis. Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon) is a common table vegetable all over Iran and known for its anticoagulant activity in Iranian folk medicine.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Artemisia dracunculus leaves methanol crude extract and its chloroform fraction on platelet aggregation, secretion and adhesion to laminin coated plates.


METHODS
Human platelets were incubated with different concentrations of the test sample (equivalent to 25-200 mug of plant leaves powder/ml). The treated and untreated platelets were then activated with thrombin and adhesion to the laminin coated plates were evaluated.


RESULTS
Based on our observations, the methanol extract and its chloroform fraction, at a concentration of 200 mug/ml, inhibited platelet adhesion to laminin coated wells by 50% and 60%, respectively. In addition to alternation of cell adhesive properties, protein secretion and self aggregation of the treated platelets were decreased upon treatment with the crude extract and its chloroform fraction.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results showed that the methanol crude extract and chloroform fraction of tarragon could inhibit platelets adhesion, aggregation and secretion. These findings provide scientific basis for the traditional use of tarragon as a blood-diluting factor, as locally called, or as an anticoagulant.
Shahriyary
Leila
L
Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, P.O. Box 13145-1384, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Yazdanparast
Razieh
R
D000328:Adult; D019306:Artemisia / Q000737:chemistry*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002469:Cell Separation; D002725:Chloroform; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D000432:Methanol; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness / Q000187:drug effects*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010976:Platelet Count; D012997:Solvents
D001798:Blood Proteins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D002725:Chloroform; D000432:Methanol