Formulation of a herbal tea bag with potential in vitro thrombolytic activity using Adhatoda vasica Linn (Pawatta), Vitex negundo Linn (Nika), and Caesalpinia bonduc Linn (Kumburu)

Abstract

Introduction: Adhatoda vasica Linn, Vitex negundo Linn, and Caesalpinia bonduc Linn are medicinal plants belongs to Acanthaceae, Verbenaceae, and Caesalpiniaceae families respectively.  This study aimed to develop a herbal tea bag from a combination of the three medicinal plants and assess its thrombolytic effect in vitro using the clot lysis assay. Methods: Phytochemical profiles of the selected medicinal plants were determined. Aqueous extract (AE) of leaves of each plant was added (100 µL) at concentrations ranging from (125-500 mg/mL) into microcentrifuge tubes containing pre-weighed blood clots. After 90 minutes of incubation at 37 ºC, the supernatants containing disintegrated blood clots were discarded. The tubes were weighed again, and the percentage of clot lysis was determined. Streptokinase was utilized as the positive control, while distilled water as the negative control. The thrombolytic effect of several plant combinations was investigated and the most effective combination was formulated into a tea bag. Results: Alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, diterpenoids, cardiac glycosides, phenolic compounds, proteins, amino acids, and carbohydrates were detected. AE of C. bonduc, V. negundo and A. vasica leaves showed maximum thrombolytic activity of 33.32% (p= 0.001), 28.16% (p=0.007) at the concentration of 500mg/ mL, and 22.02 %, at the concentration of 125mg/ mL respectively (p= 0.031). Streptokinase, the most effective combination (1:4:4) and the tea bag demonstrated 88.50% (p=0.000), 31.01% (p=0.003) and 13.35% (p=0.04) of clot-dissolving activity respectively. Conclusion: The presence of modest thrombolytic activity in the AE of A.vasica, V.negundo, and C.bonduc leaves, both individually and in combination, was demonstrated in this study. Stability testing and further development of the herbal tea bag are recommended in future studies.

Keywords: Clot lysis, Herbal tea bag, Thrombolytic activity, Adhatoda vasica Linn, Vitex negundo Linn, Caesalpinia bonduc Linn