Modified Smear Method for Screening Potential Inhibitors of Platelet Aggregation from Plant Sources

Abstract
The smear method developed by Velaskar and Chitre was modified to allow the massive screening of plant extracts and/or fractions for platelet antiaggregating activity. Aspirin and papaverine, known inhibitors of platelet aggregation, were tested by the modified method and showed comparable results with previously reported data. Fifty-four fractions prepared from 18 plant species were screened for their inhibitory effects on ADP, arachidonic acid or collagen-induced rat platelet aggregation. Plants could be a potential source of inhibitors of platelet aggregation.