fibrin and higenamine

The effect of higenamine, a benzyl-tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid of the roots of Aconitum spp. (Ranunculaceae), on disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), was investigated using an experimental DIC rat model. The oral administration of higenamine (10 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg), significantly ameliorated the decrease of fibrinogen level in plasma, the increase of fibrinogen/fibrin degradation product (FDP) level, and the prolongation of prothrombin time (PT) induced by the i. v. infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The prolongation of activated partial thrombin time (aPTT) and the decrease of platelet count were suppressed. The increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were also significantly prevented with higenamine. The above results are suggestive that higenamine has therapeutic potential for DIC and/or accompanying multiple organ failure (MOF).

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Blood Urea Nitrogen; Disease Models, Animal; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fibrin; Fibrinogen; Injections, Intravenous; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; Multiple Organ Failure; Partial Thromboplastin Time; Plant Roots; Platelet Count; Prothrombin Time; Ranunculaceae; Rats; Tetrahydroisoquinolines