Effect of Citrus sinensis (Sweet Orange) on coagulation

Abstract

Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) is widely known for its health-related benefits and has been reported to contain anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and hypo-lipidemic activities. Hence, present study was designed to investigate the effect of Citrus sinensis on blood parameters, coagulation and anticoagula-tion factors. Freshly obtained C. sinensis juice was given to rabbits in three different doses i.e. 2ml/kg, 5ml/kg and 8ml/kg. Erythrocyte count was signifi-cantly increased at all three doses but hemoglobin was found to increase significantly at the doses of 5ml/kg and 8ml/kg. Thrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were prolonged significantly at all doses similar to warfarin but prothrombin time was significantly prolonged at 5ml/kg and 8ml/kg. There was highly significant increase in protein C levels at 5ml/kg and 8ml/kg, while significant increase in thrombin antithrombin complex at 8ml/kg. Percentage inhibition of platelets aggregation at 2ml/kg was only significant by epinephrine, while at 5ml/kg inhibition of platelets aggregation was significant by arachidonic acid (AA) and epinephrine (Epi) whereas inhi-bition of platelets aggregation was significant at 8ml/kg by adenosine di-phosphate, epinephrine and arachidonic acid, while it was highly significant by collagen. These results suggest that C. Sinensis possess an anticoagulant component and may serve as cardio protective. This might be due to phyto-chemicals and other essential nutrients that possess an antithrombin compo-nent preventing thrombosis and playing cardio protective role.