title: Effect of Hawthorn (Crataegus aronia syn. Azarolus (L)) on platelet function in albino Wistar rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to investigate the possible antiplatelet effect of aqueous whole-plant C. aronia syn: Azarolus (L) extract using Wistar albino rats as a model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two male albino Wistar rats weighing 200 to 250 g were divided into seven groups with six rats in each group. Group 1 served as the control and received equal volumes of distilled water. Groups 2-6 served as the experimental groups and were given C. aronia extract at doses of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg, while group 7 served as a positive control and was given aspirin (25mg/kg). All the doses were administered orally once a day and the treatment was continued for seven days. In all groups, at the end of the experimental procedure, blood samples were obtained for platelet function measurements, including PFA-100, thromboxane B2 levels, platelet count, and haematocrit. The bleeding time was determined using a modified tail cutting method described previously.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The aqueous C. aronia syn. Azarolus (L) extract significantly altered the bleeding time and the closure time, as determined by the PFA-100 and thromboxane B2 levels, suggesting significant platelet function inhibition. These effects were observed with C. aronia doses between 100 - 500 mg/kg, which yielded thromboxane B2 levels of 1,000 mg/kg, whereas the higher dose (2,000 mg/kg) produced opposite effects on these parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  C. aronia syn. Azarolus (L) aqueous extract has antiplatelet effects in Wistar albino rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. asshalghamdi@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Abdullah S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Shatoor
authors.forename: Hesham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Soliman
authors.forename: Fahaid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al-Hashem
authors.forename: Basiouny El-
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Gamal
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Othman
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: El-Menshawy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001760:Bleeding Time; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D027825:Crataegus / Q000737:chemistry*; D006400:Hematocrit; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010976:Platelet Count; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D013929:Thromboxane B2