In vitro Hemostatic Activity Screening of Sap of Jatropha Multifida L. (Euphorbiaceae) used in Traditional Medicine at Cotonou (Benin)

Abstract

This study has evaluated the hemostatic potential of Jatropha multifida’s sap as traditional medicine in Benin attributed hemostatic properties to this substance. Several hemostatic tests as Blood Coagulation Time, Quick Time, Activated Cephalin Time, Test of Milk Precipitation, Total Protein of blood samples were performed at 37°C. Prothrombin Time (PT) revealed prior to thromboplastin’s addition, there was precipitation of the plasma in all tubes except the control tube (T0). After addition of thromboplastin, control tube coagulated in 78 seconds while all other tubes were not coagulated (>15 minutes). The same observations were made for the Activated Cephalin Time (ACT) for which prior to addition of cephalin activator, there was precipitation of plasma in all tubes except the control tube (T0). After addition of cephalin activator, the control tube was coagulated with 43.33 seconds while test tubes were not coagulated (>15 minutes). Blood coagulation time decreased regardless of the administered dose of sap. Time of milk’s precipitation showed the sap rushes milk proteins. This was confirmed by the determination of total proteins in serum; proteins which decreased by over 60% with ¼ dilution for example (p<0.05). It has been proven that using sap of Jatropha multifida has some effects on hemostasis so its usage in traditional medicine is justified.