Mountain Top University Library

Inflammation is the body's early reaction to injury or infection, and it is a defensive response by the body's self-defense system. Inflammation and hemostasis are closely linked pathophysiologic mechanisms that have a significant impact on one another. Inflammation activates the hemostatic system, which has a significant impact on inflammatory behavior; inflammation causes blood to clot, reduces the effectiveness of natural anticoagulant pathways, and impairs the fibrinolytic system. This study evaluated the effects hydroethanol extracts and fractions of Phyllantus amarus on clotting time, bleeding time, prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin (aPTT) times and liver function markers (AST and ALT) in carrageenan induced inflammation in mice. Forty-five mice were randomly divided into nine groups and administered different doses of the extract for 7days, while normal control mice were given normal saline, and positive control were administered with diclofenac. The blood coagulation parameters and liver function tests were determined using Randox assay kits; following the instruction of the reagent kit. P. amarus extract caused a significant (p< 0.05) decrease in bleeding time, clotting time, prothrombin time compared to normal control; and no significant (p> 0.05) difference in aPTT of the carrageenan inflamed mice and the normal control. There was a significant increase in plasma Total protein. Also, there were decreases in concentrations of AST and ALT. P. amarus significantly reduced paw edema in all the treatment groups, and similar result was recorded with diclofenac. This study showed that the Ethanol and Aqueous extract of P.amarus exert anti-inflammatory and procoagulant effects with little or no effects on the liver. The qualitative GCMS result of P.amarus showed the presence of Hexanoic acid, Urethane, Formamide and other bioactive compounds.