In Vitro Studies of Anticoagulation Activity of Pentaclethra Macrophylla

摘要

There is an increasing need to source for pharmacological and medicinal materials from plant source. An exploratory effort towards identifying and characterizing new anticoagulants from plants is worthwhile. Extract from Pentaclethra macrophylla (African oil bean) was subjected to anticoagulation activity and compared with EDTA and sodium citrate anticoagulants using some haematological parameters. The seeds of Pentaclethra macrophylla were dried and ground into powdered form. 2ml of blood sample was introduced into each tube containing 0.1g, 0.2g and 0.5g of the powdered extract. Coagulation was achieved in 2520 sec and 105 sec in 0.2g and 0.5g tubes respectively while in 0.1g tube coagulation was unattained. The extract-anticoagulated blood was compared with EDTA/sodium citrate-anticoagulated blood. The results of PCV, Hb, WBC and platelet count showed no significant difference (p>0.05) when compared. However, PT and APTT were significantly different (p<0.05). In vitro anticoagulation activity of Pentaclethra macrophylla was established. It may also be of interest as an anticoagulant for laboratory use.