Anticoagulation, DNA protection effects and physochemicals of selected cistanches commercialized in market

Abstract

Background: Due to reducing the chemical drugs’ negative effects and consequences outweigh their positive advantages, Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) have gained their attractiveness in recent years. One potential of traditional Chinese Medicine is natural sources and contains a vat of components. Purpose: Herba Cistanches, one of the most valuable herbal drugs in TCM, was researched in numerous pharmacological activities. Since Herba Cistanches contains an abundance of the components, which are potential to free radical scavenging, antioxidant activity, and neuroprotective effects, etc. However, the activities depend on the herbal source and extract processes so, the study tried to screen some important activities such as anticoagulant and DNA protection ability together with phytochemical components. Methods: For anticoagulation, the extract was tested using Prothrombin time assay for blood clotting prevention, and Thrombolytic for breaking up blood clot ability. For DNA damage protection, the study was tested on Saccharomyces cerevisiae treated with H2O2, and a DNA damage agent called Hydroxyurea (HU). The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by the ability of the extracts to prevent (or) minimize the oxidative lethal damages induced by H2O2, and HU. For phytochemical screening, the extract was fractionated and checked for Ginsenoside Rb2 as representative saponin, and Apigenin and Naringenin as representative flavonoids. Results: As a result, the appearance of Ginsenoside and Apigenin was confirmed in extraction, which was not detected in Cistanches before. The thesis also showed the anticoagulation ability by break up the blood-clot and prevent blood-clotting in all the Cistanches extractions, especially the Ginsenoside fractions, which own highest INR value. In addition, the DNA damage protection property was proved at the 100μ/mL under stressing agent 1mM H2O2, and 10mg/mL Hydroxyurea.