Exploring the antioxidant and antithrombotic potential of Tetraclinis articulata: an in-vitro investigation on human blood

Interactions between medicinal plants and conventional drugs represent a growing public health concern, particularly with antithrombotic medications due to increased bleeding risk. This study aimed to evaluate in vitro the antioxidant and antithrombotic properties of Tetraclinis articulata aqueous extract. Leaves were collected in Oujda, dried, crushed, and extracted by aqueous infusion. Total phenolic content was measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Antioxidant activity was assessed via DPPH and ABTS assays. Antithrombotic activity was evaluated using blood from healthy donors. Platelet aggregation was measured with optical aggregometry using thrombin as the agonist. Anticoagulant effects were assessed through prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and fibrinogen concentration. Fibrinolytic activity was determined by a clot-lysis assay. The extract contained 70.55 μg GAE/mg of phenolics and showed strong antioxidant activity (IC50 = 20.26 ± 0.54 μg/ml for DPPH and 8.56 ± 0.93 μg/ml for ABTS). It inhibited platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner: 35.2% at 0.5 mg/mL, 64.1% at 1 mg/ml, and 92.18% at 2 mg/ml. The extract significantly prolonged PT and aPTT and reduced fibrinogen levels. Clot lysis reached 34.6% at 1 mg/ml. Tetraclinis articulata exhibited potent antioxidant, antiaggregant, anticoagulant, and fibrinolytic activities in vitro . These findings support its potential as a natural antithrombotic agent. However, its strong antiaggregant effect warrants caution regarding potential adverse interactions when used alongside conventional antithrombotic treatments.