ACTION OF ETHYL EXTRACT OF Ficus umbellata LEAVES ON BLOOD COAGULATION IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

The main objective of our research is to determine the action of ethyl extract of Ficus umbellata leaves on blood coagulation in wistar rats. To do this, an extraction using 50g powder of dried leaves of F. umbellata and 500ml of ethanol was first performed. Then our study was carried out on 12 male and female Wistar rats aged 10 to 12 weeks and weighing between 100 and 200 g. These animals were raised at the FAST Biomembrane and Cellular Signaling Laboratory at UAC under standard environmental conditions. The animals have free access to water and food. 12 rats were randomly arranged in 4 groups of 3 and were given different doses of the ethyl extract of ficus umbellata leaves for a period of 7 days. Each group was subjected to the following treatment respectively: fed with distilled water, fed with 50 mg/kg bw of F. umbellata extract, fed with 100 mg/kg bw of F. Umbellata, and fed with 200mg/kg bw. The weight changes of the rats during the treatment were measured. After 7 days of treatment, the blood of the rats was collected for a bleeding time experiment, a clotting time experiment, and the determination of some blood parameters (platelet count, prothrombin level). The results of the phytochemical screening carried out on the powder of the leaves of F. umbellata reveal the presence of several chemical compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, cardiotonic heterosides, mucilages. But in variable proportions. After 7 days of treatment, evaluation of the effect of the extract on the body weight of rats showed that the weight of control rats increased well while that of rats treated with the dose of (50; 100 and 200 mg/kg) decreased. Furthermore, the effect of ethyl extract of F. Umbellata leaves on blood coagulation was studied to verify that the said extract can be used to manage bleeding. This was done by examining the action of the extract on bleeding time, clotting time, platelet count, and prothrombin level.