Effects of Brazilin on the Phospholipase $A_2$ Activity and Changes on Intracellular Free Calcium Concentration in Rat Platelets

Brazilin [7,11b-dihydrobenz[b]indeno[1,2-d]pyran-3,6a,9,10(6H)-tetrol] inhibited thrombin-, collagen- and ADP-induced aggregation of washed rat platelets. T hrombin- and collagen-induced ATP release were also inhibited by brazilin in a concentration-dependent manner. Brazilin inhibited the formation of platelet thromboxane $A_2$ caused by thrombin, whereas it had no effect on the prostaglandin $D_2$ formation. Brazilin inhibited $^3H$-arachidonic acid liberation from membrane phospholipids of thrombin-stimulated platelets. Brazilin inhibited the rise of intracellular free calcium caused by thrombin. These results indicate that the inhibition of phospholipase ($PLA_2$) activity and [$[Ca^{2+}]_1$ elevation might be at least a part of antiplatelet mechanism of brazilin.