In vivo Antithrombotic and Antiplatelet Activities of a Quantified Acanthopanax sessiliflorus Fruit Extract

AimTo investigate the in vivo antithrombotic and antiplatelet activities and triterpenoid saponin contents of ethanol extract of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus fruits (ASFEtOH).MethodsIn the present work a quantified ASFEtOH was selected to determine its in vivo antithrombotic activity in a rat arteriovenous shunt thrombosis model and its inhibitory effect on adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation using a platelet aggregometer. Ten triterpenoid saponin contents of the extract of the fruits were determined by a validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method. Total triterpenoid saponin content was also determined according to the colorimetric method by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer.ResultsAfter ASFEtOH (125, 250, 500 and 1 000 mg·kg−1/d) was orally administered to rats for 15 d, the in vivo antithrombotic activity on rats was in a concentration-dependant manner showing a significant linear relationship for ASFEtOH (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, ASFEtOH significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation in vivo on rats. The inhibitions of (16.3 ± 4.7)%, (28.6 ± 4.1)%, (47.9 ± 4.0)% and (61.3 ± 6.6)% were reached for ASFEtOH at doses of 125, 250, 500 and 1 000 mg(kg−1 body weight (bw) respectively, compared to an inhibition of (55.4 ± 7.5)% for the positive control aspirin (27 mg(kg−1/d). The contents of the main triterpenoid saponins 22α-hydroxychiisanoside, momordin Ib and chiisanogenin were (3 755 ± 51.3), (2 461 ± 73.0) and (1 114 ± 75.4) μg·g−1 dry fruit respectively. The amount of total triterpenoid saponins in ASFEtOH was (30.6 ± 0.6) mg of ginsenoside Re equivalents (GRE)/g.ConclusionThese experimental results suggest that ASFEtOH has both in vivo antithrombotic and antiplatelet activities.