calcimycin and allyl-sulfide

Spice active principles are reported to have anti-diabetic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, antilithogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties. In our previous report we have shown that spices and their active principles inhibit 5-lipoxygenase and also formation of leukotriene C4. In this study, we report the modulatory effect of spice active principles viz., eugenol, capsaicin, piperine, quercetin, curcumin, cinnamaldehyde and allyl sulphide on in vitro human platelet aggregation. We have demonstrated that spice active principles inhibit platelet aggregation induced by different agonists, namely ADP (50microM), collagen (500microg/ml), arachidonic acid (AA) (1.0mM) and calcium ionophore A-23187 (20microM). Spice active principles showed preferential inhibition of arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation compared to other agonists. Among the spice active principles tested, eugenol and capsaicin are found to be most potent inhibitors of AA-induced platelet aggregation with IC50 values of 0.5 and 14.6microM, respectively. The order of potency of spice principles in inhibiting AA-induced platelet aggregation is eugenol>capsaicin>curcumin>cinnamaldehyde>piperine>allyl sulphide>quercetin. Eugenol is found to be 29-fold more potent than aspirin in inhibiting AA-induced human platelet aggregation. Eugenol and capsaicin inhibited thromboxane B2 (TXB2) formation in platelets in a dose-dependent manner challenged with AA apparently by the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase (COX-1). Eugenol-mediated inhibition of platelet aggregation is further confirmed by dose-dependent decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) in platelets. Further, eugenol and capsaicin inhibited platelet aggregation induced by agonists-collagen, ADP and calcium ionophore but to a lesser degree compared to AA. These results clearly suggest that spice principles have beneficial effects in modulating human platelet aggregation.

Topics: Acrolein; Adenosine Diphosphate; Alkaloids; Allyl Compounds; Arachidonic Acid; Benzodioxoles; Calcimycin; Capsaicin; Collagen Type III; Curcumin; Eugenol; Humans; Malondialdehyde; Piperidines; Platelet Aggregation; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Quercetin; Spices; Sulfides; Thromboxanes

Garlic's value in preventing cardiovascular disease has been reported by several research groups. Garlic and its components are known to possess antiplatelet activity which has been demonstrated mostly in vitro. It was found that garlic oil administration to healthy subjects and patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) inhibited platelet aggregation ex vivo. Though garlic components leave the body quickly, a slow build-up of the active ingredients may take place. This was evident from the observation that though a 2-3 fold higher dose was not effective in inhibiting platelet aggregation when administered once, a lower dose became effective in long-term administration.

Topics: Adult; Allyl Compounds; Calcimycin; Coronary Disease; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Eicosanoids; Humans; Ionophores; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Aggregation; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Sulfides