Both Methanol and Water Mixture Extracts of Panax Notoginseng Flower Affect Platelet Function and Thrombus Growth by Down-Regulating PI3K/AKT and MAPKs Signaling Pathways

Abstract

Background: Platelet dysfunction plays a central role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We previously found that two sapon in monomers isolated from Panax notoginseng flowers (PNF) have shown to exhibit anti-platelet activity, and here we used methanol and water extraction methods to gain two mix extracts of PNF (PNFM and PNFW) and further investigated the effects and the underlying mechanisms of PNFM and PNFW on platelet functions and thrombosis.Methods:Healthy human PRP or gel-filtered platelets were collected for in vitro assay the PNFM and PNFW on the function and activation of platelets, while FeCl3-injured thrombosis formation in mice mesenteric arteriole was applied for in vivo assessment. Western blot analysis was applied to study the mechanic pathways. Results:The results showed that both PNFM and PNFW significantly inhibited human platelet aggregation and activation stimulated with either ADP or thrombin with a dose-effect relationship, and inhibited platelet granule-secretion and spreading in vitro. Furthermore, PNFM and PNFW attenuated thrombus formation in mice. The effects might be associated with inhibition of platelet PI3K, Akt, P38, JNK and Erk phosphorylation.Conclusion:These findings suggest that PNF mixture extracts could be developed as a functional ingredient to improve cardiovascular health through inhibiting platelet hyper reaction.