J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Jun 14;136(1):210-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.04.053. Epub 2011 Apr 29.
- 1China Military Institute of Chinese Meteria Medica, Military 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China.
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY:
Cornu
Saigae Tataricae (antelope horn), Manis Squama (pangolin scale), Cornu
Cervi Pantotrichum (velvet antler) and Cornu Bovis grunniens (yak horn)
are valuable medicinal animal horns and shells (MAHS). As the major
source of biological agents and ethnodrugs, MAHS show pretty good
bioactivities. However, with the increased demand for MAHS, some of the
medicinal resources are endangered, and there has been a concomitant
increase in the prevalence of adulterated or impostor MAHS. It is of
great significance to exploit the substitutes for endangered medicinal
animal resources. This study is going to provide a new mode for the
exploitation of the substitutes of MAHS.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Plasma
recalcification time, thrombin time and thrombin consumption were
recorded to evaluate the anticoagulation effect of MAHS. Dissolution
rate of thrombus in vitro and whole blood-gore were observed to appraise
the antithrombotic effect of MAHS.
RESULTS:
All
the MAHS involved in this study except Cornu Procaprae Gutturosae
(argali horn), Cornu Saigae Tataricae and Cornu Bovis (cattle horn)
could not only prolong recalcification time (P<0.01) and thrombin
time (P<0.01), but also dissolve the thrombus in vitro (P<0.01)
and whole blood-gore (P<0.01). The bioactivities among MAHS differed
greatly from each other.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results indicate that Cornu Caprae Hircus (goat horn),
Cornu Bubali (water buffalo horn) and Trionycis Carapax (turtle shell)
are rational to be explored as the substitutes of Cornu Saigae
Tataricae, Cornu Bovis grunniens and Manis Squama, respectively. On the
contrary, velvet antler is not suitable to be substituted by Cornu Cervi
(deerhorn). We presume that the bioactive evaluation methods are
effective means of seeking substitutive resources of endangered
medicinal animals with the advantages of close correlation to drug
action, low dosage, and high sensitiveness.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
