Purpose: To explore the effects of
Carthamus tinctorius
L. (CTL) extracts on thrombosis in rats.
Methods: CTL extract was obtained in hot water (60 °C), dried in a hot air oven and then freeze-dried.
The rats were divided into 6 groups: normal group, control group, reference group (aspirin 5 mg/kg) as
well as groups that received 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg doses of CTL, respectively. For each group, treatment
was given orally once daily for 14 days. Common carotid artery FeCl
3-induced thrombus and inferior
vena cava thrombosis occlusion time, as well as plasma concentrations of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and
6-keto-prostaglandine F1α(6-keto-PGF1α) were measured in rats.
Results: Compared with the control group, all doses of CTL extracts significantly and dose-dependently
prolonged thrombosis occlusion time, reduced the weight of thrombus and increased inhibition rate (p <
0.01). Plasma TXB2 concentration of all CTL extracts groups decreased dose-dependently (p < 0.05)
while that of 6-keto-PGF1α was increased (p < 0.05). There was association between 6-keto-
PGF1α/TXB2 and arterial or venous thrombus weight for all treatments, and also with occlusion time for
CTL treatment but not for aspirin.
Conclusion: CTL has a significant effect on thrombosis in rats. However, further studies are required to
determine its clinical potentials.
