Anti-platelet activating factor property of Rubia cordifolia Linn

Abstract

Rubia cordifolia is clinically used for the purification of blood by the physicians of the Indian System of Medicine. For the first time, the effect of the partially purified fraction of this whole plant has been studied on rabbit platelets. It inhibits the platelet aggregation induced by PAF (platelet activating factor) but not thrombin. It also inhibits the binding of 3H-PAF to the platelets in the dose-dependent manner. Thus it appears that R. cordifolia inhibits action of PAF at its receptor level either by it's blocking or by desensitization.