Werner Cordier

Herbal remedies affecting coagulation: A review

Context: Herbal remedies are used to treat a large variety of diseases, including blood-related disorders. However, a number of herbal preparations have been reported to cause variations in clotting time, this is mainly by disruption of the coagulation cascade. Objective: The compiling of plants investigated for effects on the coagulation cascade. Methods: Information was withdrawn from Google Scholar and the journal databases Scopus and PubMed. Results: Sixty-five herbal remedies were identified with antiplatelet, anticoagulant, or coagulating ability. Bioactive compounds included polyphenols, taxanes, coumarins, saponins, fucoidans, and polysaccharides. Conclusion: Although research has been conducted on the effect of herbal remedies on coagulation, most information relies on in vitro assays. Contradictory evidence is present on bleeding risks with herbal uses, though herb–drug interactions pose a threat. As the safety of many herbals has not been proven, nor their effect on blood parameters determined, the use of herbal preparations before undergoing any surgical procedure should discontinued.

Effects of selected South African plant extracts on haemolysis and coagulation

The use of herbal preparations for staunching blood flow and reducing the risk of vascular thrombosis is common worldwide. In this study, aqueous and methanolic extracts of plants used to treat blood-associated complaints were investigated to determine their effects on red blood cell haemolysis and coagulation. The extent of haemolysis was determined spectrophotometrically. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) as indicators of coagulation rate were determined using a coagulatometer. All of the plant extracts tested had a significant effect on coagulation time, prolonging the aPTT. Cassia petersiana had the greatest prolonging effect on PT compared to the control, phosphate buffered saline (PBS). As all of the herbal extracts tested had a delaying effect on coagulation, patients using herbal/plant therapies should be cautioned to stop their medication before surgery.

Attenuation of oxidative stress and artificial wound closure in C2C12 myoblasts induced by sequential extracts of Boerhavia diffusa

Whole plants of Boerhavia diffusa L. are widely used medicine in Ghana and other tropical countries, for the treatment of wounds and other ailments. The aim of the study was to determine the ability of sequential extracts of B. diffusa to influence oxidation and wound closure in myoblast cells in vitro.