Anti-thrombolytic effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza   Bge extract in rats

Purpose: To study the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. extract (SMBE) on thrombosis in rats.
Methods: SMBE was obtained in water at 60 ^oC in an oven and then freeze-drying. Rats were divided into 6 groups of ten rats each: normal group, control group, reference group (aspirin 5 mg/kg) as well as three groups of SMBE groups (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg doses). Treatments were given orally once daily for 14 days. Common carotid artery FeCl₃-induced thrombus and inferior vena cava thrombosis occlusion time, plasma concentrations of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandine F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) were measured in the rats.
Results: Compared with control group, all doses of SMBE significantly and dose-dependently prolonged thrombosis occlusion time, reduced the weight of thrombus and increased the inhibition rate of thrombus (p < 0.01). Plasma TXB2 concentration of all SMBE groups decreased dose-dependently (p < 0.05) while that of 6-keto-PGF1α increased with decrease in extract dose (p < 0.05). There was association between 6-keto-PGF1α/TXB2 and arterial or venous thrombus weight for all treatments, and also with occlusion time for SMBE treatment, but not for aspirin.
Conclusion: The results demonstrate the anti-thrombosis effect of SMBE in rats. This finding suggests that the plant is a potential therapy for thrombosis.

Keywords
Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.; Thrombosis; Thromboxane B2; 6-Keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha; Aspirin; Occlusion time