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Long-term intake of rosemary and common thyme herbs inhibits experimental thrombosis without prolongation of bleeding time

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2008.01.014Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective

Our earlier study demonstrated an inhibition of experimental thrombogenesis after acute administration of rosemary and common thyme. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of long-term intake of these herbs on platelets, thrombus formation and bleeding time.

Methods

Western-style high-fat diet containing 5% or 0.5% dried rosemary or common thyme was given to male 6 week old C57BL/6 mice for 12 weeks. Shear-induced platelet reactivity was measured in vitro by haemostatometry. The antithrombotic effect was assessed by the laser-induced thrombosis technique in the carotid artery of mice. Bleeding time was tested by the tail cut method. Endothelial function was assessed by the flow-mediated vasodilation test.

Results

Rosemary (5% and 0.5%) significantly inhibited arterial thrombus formation. Only the higher concentration of common thyme (5%) had a significant antithrombotic effect. In 5% concentration, both rosemary and common thyme significantly inhibited platelet reactivity and enhanced the flow-mediated vasodilation.

Conclusions

Long-term daily intake of rosemary and common thyme has an antithrombotic effect, which is probably due to inhibition of platelets and stimulation of endothelial cells. The antithrombotic effect was not accompanied by prolongation of bleeding time.

Section snippets

Rosemary and common thyme

Herbs were grown, harvested, dried and powdered in the Research and Development Division, S and B Foods Incorporation (Tokyo, Japan).

Diets

Experimental diet containing powdered rosemary or common thyme in 0.5 or 5% (w/w) concentrations were prepared from purified materials on the basis of the Western-style high fat diet model. The latter and the ingredients were described earlier [7]. Diets were stored at – 30 °C until use (Table 1).

Animals and feeding

Five week old male C57BL/6J mice were purchased from SLC Co. Ltd.

He-Ne laser-induced carotid artery thrombosis test

This technique has been described in detail [7], [8]. Briefly, a polyethylene tube was inserted into the left femoral artery of mouse anaesthetized with Nembutal (65 mg/kg, i.m.) and the carotid artery (450-500 μ m in diameter) was exposed by incision. The animal was placed on a special microscope stage, Evans blue dye was injected intra-arterially (30 mg/kg) and the center of the exposed carotid artery was irradiated with He-Ne laser. Thrombus formation at the site of irradiation was monitored

Dietary intake and body weight

Changes in dietary intake and body weight over 12 weeks are shown in Fig. 1. No significant differences were detected between the various groups in dietary intake or body weight gain (overall P = 0.072 and 0.275, respectively).

Thrombotic status

Results are shown in Fig. 2 (A,B). Diet containing 5% or 0.5% rosemary significantly suppressed the thrombotic status (post hoc test P = 0.016 and 0.014, respectively). Diet containing 5% common thyme significantly impaired the thrombotic response while the 0.5% concentration

Discussion

Strong evidence has been provided on the contribution of inappropriate diet to the development and progress of atherothrombotic diseases. Several experimental studies have been performed to investigate the mechanism of such effect. Our interest was in finding fruits and vegetables with antithrombotic activity, which could potentially be beneficial in the prevention of atherothrombotic diseases. We were aware of the critical importance of the employed technique(s) and therefore only platelet

Conclusion

Long-term dietary intake of rosemary and common thyme in C57BL/6 mice impaired platelet function in vitro and thrombus formation in vivo, while bleeding times were not affected. The mechanism of the antithrombotic effect may involve suppression of platelet reactivity and stimulation of the vascular endothelium.

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