title: Modulation of platelet and leucocyte function by a Chinese herbal formulation as compared with conventional antiplatelet agents.
abstract: Platelet and leucocyte activity are important in the acute development of thrombosis and in the pathogenesis of ischaemic vascular disease. Dan Shen Di Wan (DS, Cardiotonic Pill or Dantonic(R) Pill) is one of the most commonly used Chinese herbal formulations for treating patients with atherosclerotic disease in China and several Asian countries. We studied the effect of DS on platelet and leucocyte function and compared the effects with conventional antiplatelet agents, cangrelor (ADP P2Y(12) receptor antagonist) and aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid, ASA). Measurements were made by platelet aggregation (%) and activation (CD62P %), platelet-monocyte conjugate formation (P/M, CD42a median fluorescence, mf), platelet-neutrophil conjugate formation (P/N, mf), and leucocyte activation (CD11b median fluorescence on monocytes and neutrophils, mf) in response to 3.3 micromol/L adenosine diphosphate (ADP), 1.0 micromol/L platelet activating factor (PAF), 5.0 micromol/L adrenaline and 0.5 microg/mL collagen. We also evaluated the effect of its main component, water soluble extract of salvia miltiorrhiza (SME) on intracellular calcium mobilization in platelets triggered by 10 micromol/L ADP, 10 micromol/L PAF, 2 microg/mL collagen and 15 micromol/L thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP). Overall DS showed inhibition of platelet aggregation, platelet activation, platelet-leucocyte conjugate formation and leucocyte activation in response to all the agonists apart from adrenaline (all p < 0.01). DS showed inhibition of platelet aggregation and leucocyte activation equivalent to cangrelor 100 nmol/L and ASA 100 micromol/L. SME dose-dependently inhibited intracellular calcium mobilization in platelets following stimulation with all the platelet agonists with maximum effective at 0.36 mg/mL (all p < 0.01). When used at 0.18 mg/mL its inhibitory effect was equivalent to cangrelor and ASA. We conclude that DS is a potential inhibitor of both platelet and leucocyte activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Lian.Zhao@SESIAHS.HEALTH.NSW.GOV.AU
authors.forename: Lian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Leonie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gaudry
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dunkley
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brighton
authors.forename: Zhi Xin
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Zheng Liang
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Run Zhi
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Colin N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Chesterman
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D027561:Salvia miltiorrhiza; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors