A propsective oncotherapeutics: Isolation, partial purification and assessment of anti-coagulant properties of Tridax procumbens from leaf extracts

Medicinal plants, mostly herbs have been widely used since ancient times for the treatment of various human diseases including cancers, with the advent of technology and extensive research relating use of herbal drugs in the health care sector has increased. The WHO reports, almost 80% of people serve through medicinal plants and their products. About 25% of active pharmaceutical drugs were derived from herbal plants. This study investigates the potential anticoagulant properties of Tridax procumbens, a medicinal plant. The study demonstrates the isolation procedure of partially purified leaf extract from the plant Tridax procumbens The active fractions from the plant material were isolated and partially purified and the anticoagulant activity of these fractions was assessed through in vitro assays like clot-based assays, APTT, HEPTEST and chromogenic assays. We elucidate the impact of extracts from Tridax procumbens on coagulation parameters. Our finding reveals the anticoagulant properties of the leaf extracts are better than aerial parts of the plant. Hence, crude leaf extracts were purified. The average relative potency for anti-factor Xa of purified leaf extract by clot-based and chromogenic assays was 42 and 31 IU/mL respectively. The clotting times by APTT and HEPTEST for the purified leaf extracts ranged between 37 to 78 seconds for concentrations of 1 to 5 IU/mL and 9 to 30 seconds for concentrations of 0.6 to 9.6 IU/mL. Further investigation on the purification of leaf extracts to high purity, their underlying mechanism and safety profiles is warranted. This paper provides the preliminary findings and further extensive research is required to assess the feasibility of incorporating the purified leaf extracts in anticoagulation therapies.