The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Punica granatum flower on coagulation parameters in rats

Abstract

Punica granatum is a shrub or tree, 8 to 10 m high from the Punicaceae family, and grows wild in Iran. Flowers are regular, solitary, or in fascicles at apices, with a size of 4 to 6 cm. Petals are lanceolate, wrinkled, and brilliant orange-red. Bleeding (hemorrhage) is the loss of blood or blood escape from the circulatory system. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of pomegranate flower extract on coagulation parameters in rats. Eighty-four Sprague–Dawley male rats, divided into twelve groups, each comprising seven rats, were used in the present study. Animals had free access to food but were deprived of drinking water for 24 h before warfarin injection. Hydroalcoholic extract of P. granatum flowers and tranexamic acid (various doses) were administered once daily for 7 days in warfarin-treated groups. Blood samples were obtained by inserting a needle into the heart, and their plasma was analyzed for prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), platelet (PLT) count, fibrinogen, d-dimer, and euglobulin lysis time (ELT). The present study showed that administration of pomegranate flower extract led to a significant change in PTT, PLT count, and fibrinogen level and a significant decrease in PT level. There was no significant difference in d-dimer level between groups. In this study, animals showed no disseminated intravascular coagulation so no significant difference between control group and treatment in ELT test. It can be concluded that administration of pomegranate flower extract has negligible positive effects on the early stage of experimentally induced bleeding disorder in rats.