Antiplatelet, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic effects of Litchi chinensis             Sonn. extract.
Litchi chinensis Sonn. (lychee), which belongs to the family of Sapindaceae, is a subtropical evergreen tree that is cultivated throughout Southeast Asia, particularly in China. Litchi chinensis has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. However, the antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects of Litchi chinensis have not been reported previously. In this study, we investigated the effects of a 70% ethanol extract from Litchi chinensis (LCE) on platelet aggregation, coagulation and fibrinolysis. LCE dose-dependently inhibited collagen- and ADP-induced platelet aggregation in rat platelet-rich plasma. LCE at 4 mg/ml had a maximal inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation. In particular, the LCE 4 mg/ml-treated group showed almost complete inhibition in the collagen-induced platelet aggregation assay. It also significantly prolonged coagulation times, such as the activated partial thromboplastin and prothrombin time, in rat platelet-poor plasma. We also investigated the fibrinolytic effects of LCE using the fibrin plate assay. LCE increased fibrinolytic activity in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrated the antithrombotic effects of LCE and suggest that Litchi chinensis may be a new natural source for the development of antiplatelet, anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapeutics for thrombotic and cardiovascular diseases.
Center of Herbal Resources Research, Korea Institute of Oriental                     Medicine, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea.
Yoon-Young
YY
Sung
Won-Kyung
WK
Yang
Ho Kyoung
HK
Kim
D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D032125:Litchi / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D003094:Collagen