Evaluation of methanolic extract of dragon’s blood on platelet activation markers in streptozotocin-induced diabetic wistar rats

Objectives: Platelet activation plays a critical role in the development of diabetic complications, including thrombosis and cardiovascular diseases. Natural plant extracts are increasingly investigated for their potential therapeutic effects in diabetes management. This study evaluated the impact of Dracaena cinnabari (DC) extract on platelet activation markers and associated histopathological changes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 36 rats were divided into six groups: Group I (non-diabetic control), Group II (diabetic control), Groups III-V (diabetic rats treated with 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg of DC extract, respectively), and Group VI (diabetic rats treated with 12 mg/kg of aspirin as standard). Treatments were administered orally for 21 days. At the end of the experiment, rats were anesthetized, and blood samples were collected for molecular analysis of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and cluster of differentiation 41 (CD41) using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Liver and pancreatic tissues were collected for fibrinogen gene expression analysis and histological examination. Data were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance. Results: Blood glucose levels were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in diabetic controls compared with the non-diabetic group. Fibrinogen expression was significantly elevated in diabetic control rats ( P = 0.00) but markedly reduced in treatment groups and the non-diabetic control ( P = 0.00). No significant changes were observed in vWF and CD41 expression ( P > 0.05). Histological analysis of pancreatic tissue showed evidence of healing across treatment groups, whereas no such reversal was observed in liver tissue. Conclusion: The findings suggest that DC extract exerts potential therapeutic effects on hyperglycemia and hyperfibrinogenemia in diabetic rats, indicating its promise in mitigating thrombotic risks associated with diabetes.