Abstract
Angelica keiskei (Ashitaba) is a large perennial herb that is native to the Pacific coast of Japan. It has recently become popular as a healthy food in Asian countries because it might have various physiological benefits including antithrombotic properties. Most studies of the bioactive constituents from Ashitaba have focused on the activities of the major chalcones, xanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin. However, other chalcones, flavanones and coumarins have also been isolated from Ashitaba, precisely characterized, and investigated in vivo. Platelets play a key role in haemostasis and wound healing processes. Dysregulated platelet activity is associated with the progression of platelet aggregation and decreased venous blood flow, which results in thrombotic diseases. A minor chalcone, xanthoangelol E, inhibits TXB2 synthesis in rabbit platelets, which seems to be the source of the belief that Ashitaba has antithrombotic properties. However, recent data showed that xanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin inhibited the aggregation of rabbit platelets. Platelet aggregation stimulated by collagen was also inhibited in whole blood incubated with Xanthoangelol or 4-hydroxyderricin. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 is the primary physiological inhibitor of tissue type plasminogen activator, a key protease of the fibrinolytic system. An increase in plasma of this inhibitor is associated with thrombotic conditions. Ashitaba yellow exudate inhibited the elevation of plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in mice induced by obesity or chronic low-grade inflammation. These studies showed the yellow exudate from stem cuttings and chalcones isolated from Ashitaba roots and leaves might have antithrombotic activity. This article reviews the possible antithrombotic properties of Ashitaba.
Highlights
Metabolic syndromes such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidaemia are associated with an increased risk of thrombotic diseases caused by the formation of blood clots inside blood vessels that obstruct blood flow through the circulatory system
Dysregulated platelet activity is associated with the progression of platelet aggregation and decreased venous blood flow, which results in thrombotic diseases (George, 2000)
Dysregulated platelet activity is associated with the progression of platelet aggregation which results in thrombotic diseases
Summary
Metabolic syndromes such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidaemia are associated with an increased risk of thrombotic diseases caused by the formation of blood clots inside blood vessels that obstruct blood flow through the circulatory system. Ashitaba is the common Japanese name for the Angelica keiskei cultivar Koidzumi, and the English translation of it is “tomorrow's leaf”. The leaves, stems, and roots of Ashitaba are rich in nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin K, and dietary fibre, as well as various unique polyphenols such as chalcones and coumarin. Ashitaba chalcone has a long history of human use as a dietary supplement with claims of multiple health benefits. Studies of the physiological activities of Ashitaba were initiated based on the folklore of the Izu Islands (Baba, 2013). The initial discovery was that Ashitaba chalcones might inhibit gastric acid secretion, and have antitumor and antibacterial activities (Murakami et al, 1990; Inamori et al, 1991; Okuyama et al, 1991). After finding that Ashitaba can suppress high blood glucose and exert anti-obesity effects in mice (Enoki et al, 2007), it attracted attention
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