Study on hemostatic activities of Aspilia africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams and Conyza canadensis L.

Abstract

The process of hemostasis involves the body turning blood into a thick, gel-like mass at the site of injury or damage in order to stop bleeding. Africa and Latin America are the native habitats of Aspilia africana (Family Asteraceae). Hemorrhage plant and wild Sunflower are frequent names for this plant, which grows in savanna wastelands and forested areas. Conyza canadensis (Family Asteraceae) is commonly known as Canadian horseweed or Canadian fleabane. It is present in all warm nations, but because of its global distributions from America, it is thought to have originated there and spread to the rest of the world. This study investigated hemostatic activities of the leaves extract of Aspilia africana and Conyza canadensis on mice. Fresh leaves of the plant samples were extracted with methanol and thirty-two (32) mice grouped into eight of four mice were used for the study. Incision was made on the tail of each mouse. Warfarin, a standard drug (3 mg/kg), was used as positive control while each plant extract was made into concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. The bleeding time (seconds) of breaking tail and volume of bleeding were measured to evaluate the hemostatic activity after administration of treatments for 5 days (once per day). The results of this study showed reduction in the volume of bleeding in all the treatment groups when compared to untreated (negative control) group but highest activity was recorded in warfarin (Positive control). Aspilia africana (200 mg/kg) methanol extract (1.12±0.01) was not statistically different from the mean values of warfarin (1.11±0.01). The results of bleeding time (Seconds) in tails of the mice of warfarin, Aspilia africana methanol extract and Conyza canadensis methanol extract groups reduced when compared to the negative control group, but Aspilia africana extract gave highest activity at 200 mg/kg. The significant ability of Aspilia africana leaves extract to effectively arrest bleeding from fresh wounds and accelerate wound healing process might be attributed to the metabolites present. However, further studies should be carried out on its toxicity and mechanism of actions.