Anti-thrombotic Effects of Modified Jeho-tang using a -induced Carotid Arterial Thrombosis Model

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the antithrombotic effects of the four herbal ingredients (Mume Fructus, MF; Santali Albi Lignum, SAL; Amomi Tsao-Ko Fructus, ATF; and Amomi Fructus, AF) of modified Jeho-tang (MJHT) in a ferric chloride ($FeCl_3$)-induced carotid arterial thrombosis model. Methods: Thirty minutes prior to a 35% $FeCl_3$ application, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were injected with saline, MF, SAL, ATF or AF (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection), respectively. The effect of the MJHT ingredients was examined for time to occlusion (TTO) and thrombus weight (TW) in a $FeCl_3$-induced thrombosis model. Histological analysis was performed to examine the effect of the MJHT ingredients on collagen fiber damage using hematoxylin & eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. Results: Compared with vehicle treatment, MF, SAL and ATF treatment delayed TTO (vehicle, $8.11{\pm}0.60$ min; MF, $16.67{\pm}1.03$ min; SAL, $17.50{\pm}1.52$ min and ATF, $13.33{\pm}1.21$ min; P < 0.001) and inhibited thrombus formation (vehicle, $0.79{\pm}0.03$ mg/mm; MF, $0.61{\pm}0.07$ mg/mm; SAL, $0.57{\pm}0.03$ mg/mm and ATF, $0.72{\pm}0.02$ mg/mm; P < 0.001). In addition, each herbal ingredient of MJHT except for AF prevented the collagen fiber damage induced by a 35% $FeCl_3$ application. These results indicate that the MJHT ingredients MF ${\geq}$ SAL ${\geq}$ ATF ${\geq}$ AF possess antithrombotic activity in a $FeCl_3$-induced carotid arterial thrombosis. Conclusions: Altogether, these results are the first evidence that the MJHT ingredients MF, SAL and ATF have the ability to prevent vascular damage and thrombus formation in $FeCl_3$-induced carotid arterial thrombosis.