Thrombin Inhibition Activity of Fructus Extract of Crataggus pinnatifida Bunge

The fructus of Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge has been used as medicinal and food source in worldwide. In this study, a strong direct thrombin inhibition and antithrombosis activity were identified from the methanol extract of C. pinnatifida Bunge fructus. The solvent fractionation of fructus extract using hexane, ethylacetate, butanol revealed that the butanol fraction has a prominent antithrombin activity. Thrombin time(blood-clot formation time) and activated partial thromboplastin time(aPTT) extended to 835% and 315% by addition of the butanol fraction at concentration of 1.25 mg/mL, whereas thrombin time extended to 287% by addition of aspirin at concentration of 1,25 mg/mL. The butanol fraction showed anthrone-positive and weak ninhydrine-postive reaction. The thrombin inhibitory activity was not related to previously reported flavonoids or polyphenols. The activity was maintained against acid treatment(0.5 N HCl for 120 min), but rapidly lost by heat-treatment( for 30 min). Our results suggested that fructus of C. pinnatifida Bunge with non-heat treatment process could be developed as a natural source of antithrombosis.