Previous studies documented an impairment of haemostasis by synthetic penicillins (Thromb. Haem. 34: 115, 1976) and penicillin (Lancet II : 1039, 1976). Therefore the antithrombotic activity of synthetic penicillin. (carbenicillin)(C) was compared with that of aspirin (ASA), dipyridamole (DIPY) and heparin in 150 rabbits. Thrombus formation was induced by standardized endothelial lesions. The dose of C was adjusted to a 4.2 fold prolongation of bleeding time, similar to that seen in clinical patients. Analysis and composition of thrombi was done by measurement of incorporation of labeled blood elements (51cr labeled platelets, 125J-fibrinogen and 59Fe labeled red cells). The ‘specific thrombus/blood ratio’ with values of 19.1 and 50.9 (51cr) in venous and arterial thrombi evidenced the significance of platelets in this model. In the venous system C reduced formation of thrombi by 43%, ASA by 34%, ASA and DIPY by 55% and heparin by 90%. In the arterial system C inhibited thrombus formation by 89%, ASA by 15%, ASA and DIPY by 46% and heparin by 60%. It is concluded, that C effectively prevents thrombus formation in the arterial system and to lower extent in the venous system. The results prove the importance of platelets in arterial thrombogenesis and the efficacy of platelet aggregation inhibitors in preventing thrombi in the arterial system. In comparison with other known antiplatelet drugs it seems, that C is the most effective platelet aggregation inhibitor to date.
Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors in a Bhutanese Medicinal Plant, Shug Chher.
