Abstract:
Coagulopathy is a growing global health concern, often associated with conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, which increase the risk of thrombotic events like deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Current anticoagulant therapies, including warfarin and heparin, are effective but pose risks such as bleeding complications and require close monitoring (Harter et al., 2015). This study explored the anticoagulant potential of Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), a medicinal plant traditionally used to manage high blood pressure and diabetes. Rich in bioactive compounds like alkaloids and flavonoids, periwinkle has the potential to influence blood coagulation pathways. An in vitro experiment was conducted using human plasma samples from females aged 18 to 21 years with blood type A. Ethanol-extracted periwinkle leaf was tested at three concentrations (0.05 g/100 mL, 0.1 g/100 mL, and 0.2 g/100 mL) to evaluate its effect on Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT). Distilled water served as the negative control, while garlic extract was used as the positive control. Results showed that the 0.2 g/100 mL concentration had the most pronounced anticoagulant effect, with mean PT value of 26.6 seconds and mean aPTT value of 53.3 seconds, respectively. Lower concentrations namely 0.1g/100 mL yielded a mean PT of 19.3 seconds and aPTT of 43.7 seconds, while 0.05g/100 mL yielded a mean PT of 17.5 seconds and aPTT of 43.7 seconds, which showed shorter clotting times, confirming a dose-dependent response. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences between experimental and control groups, particularly at the highest concentration (p < 0.00005). These findings suggest that Catharanthus roseus extract exhibits promising anticoagulant activity and may serve as a natural alternative to conventional anticoagulants, warranting further investigation in clinical settings.
