Modulation of hemostasis by inhibiting enzymes with the extract of Averrhoa carambola leaves

Abstract

Herbal medicines represent an advantageous alternative for the prevention and treatment of several diseases when compared to allopathic medicines. Averrhoa carambola(Oxalidaceae) is a plant rich in phenolic compounds and popularly known for its medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic. Different enzymes of the human organism participate in physiological processes which involve hemostasis, inflammation, and formation of new tissue. These enzymes are highlighted as pharmaceutical targets for the treatment of numerous pathologies. The present work evaluated the aqueous and ethanolic extracts from A. carambolaleaves on phospholipase, hemolytic, caseinolytic, thrombolytic, coagulant, and fibrinogenolytic activities induced by phospholipases A2and proteases. Phenolic compounds and total flavonoids were quantified in the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Averrhoa carambola. These extracts were evaluated, in vitro, on phospholipase, proteolytic, hemolytic, thrombolytic and fibrinogenolytic activities induced by snake venoms. The results confirm the pharmacological potential of A. carambola since the extracts were able to modulate all evaluated activities related to hemostasis through inhibitions or potentiation of the enzymatic activities (phospholipases A2and proteases). The constituents of A. carambolamay act interfering in processes such as coagulation, thrombus dissolution, and fibrinogenolysis.