Atividade antitrombótica do chá de Scleria pterota em ratos Wistar

Abstract

Deep vein thrombosis is the leading cause of in-hospital deaths worldwide, with an annual incidence of 16 cases per 10.000 inhabitants in Western countries. Several anticoagulant and antithrombotic agents are used in the prevention and treatment of diseases, however, there are few therapeutic possibilities administered orally. Such treatments presented significant restrictions, a fact that promotes a search for new anticoagulant drugs. At present, some rural communities have been using, in a empirical way, the species Scleria pterota, popularly known as monkey razor or razor grass, as a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of thromboembolism. This study aimed to verify the action of S. pterota leaf tea on some parameters involved in blood coagulation in Wistar rats, and to analyze the presence of some groups of substances in the herbal medicine. The aqueous extract of this species showed efficacy in reducing thrombus formation and increasing clotting time, an effect found in the presence of phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonols, flavones and coumarins among the phytochemical constituents evaluated. There was also a reduction in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol fraction in rats treated with herbal medicine. The analysis of clinical signs for toxicity suggests that the use of S. pterota is safe. Given the results, S. pterota leaf tea is a promising herbal remedy for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.