Aqueous Extract of Whitmania Pigra Whitman Alleviates Thrombus Burden Via Sirtuin 1/NF-κB Pathway
Preclinical pharmacology published in J Surg Res (2019)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Whitmania pigra Whitman (W pigra), a traditional Chinese medicine, has functions of breaking stagnant and eliminating blood stasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of W pigra against deep vein thrombosis (DVT). METHODS: A rat model of DVT induced by inferior vena cava stenosis was successfully established. Rats were administered vehicle (saline solution, p.o.), three doses of W pigra aqueous extract (34.7, 104.2, or 312.5 mg crude W pigra/kg, p.o.), heparin (200 U/kg, i.v.), or clopidogrel (25 mg/kg, p.o.) once daily for 2 d. Thrombus weight and histopathological changes were examined. Blood samples were collected to determine blood cell counts, blood viscosity, blood coagulation, blood fibrinolysis, serum levels of interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Protein expressions of Sirtuin1 (SIRT1), acetylated p65 (Ace-p65), and phosphorylated p65 (p-p65) were determined by Western blot. Furthermore, SIRT1-specific inhibitor EX527 was applied to confirm the role of SIRT1 in the antithrombotic effect of W pigra. RESULTS: W pigra significantly decreased thrombus weight. W pigra had no effects on blood cell counts, whole blood viscosity, blood coagulation, blood fibrinolysis. However, it reduced tissue factor protein expression in the vein wall and thrombus. Moreover, it sharply increased SIRT1 protein expression and decreased leukocytes recruitment in the thrombus and vein wall, serum levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, and protein expressions of Ace-p65 and p-p65. Furthermore, the antithrombotic effect of W pigra was significantly abolished by EX527. CONCLUSIONS: Aqueous extract of W pigra effectively reduced DVT burden by inhibiting inflammation via SIRT1/nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Aqueous extract of Whitmania pigra alleviated thrombus burden in a rat inferior-vena-cava-stenosis model by activating Sirtuin 1 and suppressing NF-κB, with reduced inflammatory cytokines.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio investigó el mecanismo mediante el cual el extracto acuoso de Whitmania pigra Whitman —un medicamento de la medicina tradicional china— reduce la carga de trombosis venosa profunda (TVP) en un modelo de rata con estenosis de la vena cava inferior. El resumen reporta que el extracto de W. pigra disminuyó significativamente el peso del trombo, aumentó la expresión de la proteína SIRT1 y redujo los marcadores inflamatorios (interleucina-1β, factor de necrosis tumoral-α, p65 acetilado, p65 fosforilado) y el reclutamiento de leucocitos, con un efecto antitrombótico abolido por el inhibidor de SIRT1 EX527. Notablemente, el extracto no tuvo efectos sobre los recuentos de células sanguíneas, la viscosidad, la coagulación ni la fibrinólisis. Para ASH, la relevancia es indirecta: el resumen no identifica a W. pigra taxonómicamente como una sanguijuela, y los hallazgos se limitan a un modelo de rata sin datos en humanos.
Citación
Aqueous Extract of Whitmania Pigra Whitman Alleviates Thrombus Burden Via Sirtuin 1/NF-κB Pathway.
Yao XL et al. · The Journal of surgical research, 2019
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 26, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026