An herbal mixture of Phyllostachys pubescens (commonly referred to as bamboo) leaf extracts and Prunus mume (commonly known as Japanese apricot) fruit extracts can prevent the formation of blood clots, according to a study published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

• A team of researchers at Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon University, and Dankook University used a 2:1 mixture of bamboo leaf extract and Japanese apricot fruit extract to evaluate inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation.
• The research team also assessed the mixture’s potential as an herbal remedy to prevent and/or treat diseases caused by platelet aggregation and thrombus formation.
• They prepared washed platelets and induced platelet aggregation by adding 5 micrograms per milliliter (μg/mL) of collagen.
• Different doses of the mixture (75 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg), 150 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg) were used in ex vivo and in vivo assays to evaluate the mixture’s anti-platelet effects; while 50 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL, and 200 μg/mL were used for in vitro assays.
• In ex vivo assays, they orally administered the mixture to mice every day after overnight fasting for three days. They then collected the animals’ blood one hour after the final treatment.
• In in vivo assays, they examined the antithrombotic effect of the mixture from a carrageenan-induced mouse tail thrombosis model.
• Results revealed that the mixture remarkably prevented platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. The mixture increased intracellular cAMP level and decreased ATP, thromboxane A₂, serotonin, and calcium ion. In addition, it prevented fibrinogen binding to integrin αIIbβ3 and inhibited the activation of ERK2, p38, PLCγ2 and PI3 K.

In conclusion, bamboo leaf and Japanese apricot fruit extracts can prevent the clumping of platelets and the formation of blood clot.

For the full text of the study, go to this link.

Journal Reference:

Son E, Kim S, Yang W, Kim D, Cha J. ANTIPLATELET MECHANISM OF AN HERBAL MIXTURE PREPARED FROM THE EXTRACTS OF PHYLLOSTACHYS PUBESCENS LEAVES AND PRUNUS MUME FRUITS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2017; 17(541). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-2032-5