title: In vitro/in vivo effect of Citrus limon (L. Burm. f.) juice on blood parameters, coagulation and anticoagulation factors in rabbits.
abstract: The genus Citrus of the family Rutaceae includes many species e.g. Citrus indica, Citrus aurantifolia and Citrus limon, among which Citrus limon L. Burm. f. has been reported to have highest antimicrobial activity. It is used as antidote against certain venom, due to its platelet inhibitory effect and also reported to have hypocholesterolemic effect. However its anticoagulant and thrombolytic effect were not been investigated, hence a prospective in-vitro/in-vivo study was designed to determine the effect of Citrus limon on blood parameters, coagulation and anticoagulation factors. In-vitro tests revealed highly significant increase in thrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time by Citrus limon, whereas fibrinogen concentration was significantly reduced in comparison to control, however prothrombin time was not affected significantly. In-vivo testing of Citrus limon was done at three different doses i.e. 0.2ml/kg, 0.4ml/kg and 0.6ml/kg in healthy rabbits. Significant changes were observed in hematological parameters such as erythrocytes, hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Bleeding time and thrombin time was significantly prolonged and there was increase in protein C and thrombin antithrombin complex levels. These results may be due to inactivation of thrombin because it significantly decreases fibrinogen concentration and inhibit platelet aggregation. Citrus limon showed maximal anticoagulant effect at 0.4ml/kg, which suggest that Citrus limon possesses an anti-thrombin component and could prevent thrombosis playing a cardio protective role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Azra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan / Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine-Jeddah, King Saud bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Sciences, KSA.
authors.forename: Rafeeq Alam
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Talat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mirza
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Tazeen
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mustansir
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mansoor
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001628:Beverages; D002957:Citrus; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits; D013918:Thrombin Time
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D005340:Fibrinogen