Thrombolytic Activity of Punica Granatum Fruit and Peel Extract

Objective: The present study was undertaken to investigate the thrombolytic activity of Punica granatum fruit and peel extract. Methods: Phytoconstituents and free radical scavenging activity of P. granatum extract were performed. Ethanolic and aqueous extract of fruit and peel of the plant was used for in vitro clot lysis activity using streptokinase (SK) as standard. In a series of pre-weighed eppendorf tubes, equal volume of venous blood was collected and serum was removed and the tubes were weighed. The tubes containing clot were incubated with fruit, peel extract (100 ug/ml), and SK individually at 37°C for 60 minutes. After incubation, fluid obtained was removed, and tubes were again weighed to observe the difference in weight after clot disruption. The percent of clot lysis was determined. Results: Free radical scavenging activity of the extracts was increased in a dose-dependent manner. Of the extracts, ethanolic extract showed maximum activity as compared with aqueous extract, whereas the ascorbic acid exerted maximum activity as compared with the extracts. Maximum thrombolytic activity (59%) was observed with ethanolic extract of peel of the fruit. Conclusions: The present study concluded that the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. granatum fruit and peel possess thrombolytic activity.