*Corresponding author email: singnap@gmail.com Symbiosis Group Symbiosis ISSN Online: 2639-7986 www.symbiosisonlinepublishing.com Ethanolic Extract of Moringa Oleifera Seed Prolongs Blood Coagulation in Wistar albino Rats Changjul L Singnap 1* , Ahmed M Sabo 2 , Oto-Obong V Idah 2 , Bitrus N Lekshak 1 , Thomas P Yakubu 3 , Oguru O Samuel 2 , Wale R Hamza 2 , Tsoho F Musa 2 , Egbune U Olisemeke 2 , Yachit R Dandam 4 and Moses D Lugos 5 1 Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Jos, Nigeria 2 Department of Human Physiology, University of Jos, Nigeria 3 Department of Pharmacognosy University of Jos, Nigeria 4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, HSC-Elpaso Texas Tech University, U.S.A 5 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences & Technology, University of Jos, Nigeria International Journal of Hematology and Blood Disorders Open Access Research Article Received: July 5, 2019; Accepted: July 23, 2019; Published: August 9, 2019 *Corresponding author: Changjul L Singnap, Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Jos, Nigeria; Tel No: 08069561867; Email-id: singnap@gmail.com Abstract The leading cause of death worldwide has been linked to cardiovascular diseases which are mostly associated with thrombosis. It has been estimated that 1 out of 4 people die as a result of thrombotic events, a pathophysiological risk many do not know about. Prevention and treatment of intravascular thrombosis, which still poses a challenge by causing unwanted drug interactions, bleeding risks and incidence of drug resistance requires research. Anti-thrombotic drugs and nutritional supplements that deliver more effective treatment and prevention of intravascular thrombosis are direly needed. In this study, we researched the effect of Moringa oleifera ethanolic seed extract on Prothrombin Time (PT) and activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) in vivo using Wistar albino rats. A total of 40 rats were weighed and randomly divided into two groups (I= for PT and II= for aPTT) of 20 rats each (15 rats for test and 5 for control each). Ethanolic extract of m. oleifera seed at the dose of 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400 mg/ kg were administered to each group using 5 rats per dose for 28 days, PT and aPTT were determined using Quick’s method. The data were analyzed using Graph Pad Prism (7.03). There was a statistically significant delay at P <0.0001 of PT and aPTT compared to the control (administered with only distilled water using 5 rats/group). The delay in PT and aPTT is an indication that the seed extract of m. oleifera may pose an antagonizing effect on both the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways, respectively, a property that could be exploited in the prevention and management of thrombotic events. Keywords: Moringa oleifera; Prothrombin Time; Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time; Thrombosis; Coagulation Pathways Introduction The intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways contribute significantly to the stabilization of the thrombus [1, 2]. Several important substances that cause or affect blood coagulation have been identified in the blood and body tissues under normal physiological conditions. Some of these substances promote coagulation and are therefore called pro-coagulants, while those that inhibit coagulation are called anticoagulants [3-5]. In the bloodstream, the anticoagulants predominate under physiological conditions, so the blood does not coagulate while in circulation. However, when a blood vessel is ruptured, pro- coagulants from the area of tissue damage become ‘activated’ and override the anticoagulants, thereby contributing to the clot development through a cascade of activities that result in the formation of prothrombin activator, which is factor Xa that forms a complex with Ca ions, phospholipid and factor V [6, 7]. Generally, Xa is considered to be formed in two ways, although, in reality, the two ways always interact with each other; firstly, by the extrinsic pathway that begins with injury to the vascular wall and surrounding tissues and secondly, by the intrinsic pathway that begins in the blood [8]. The prothrombin time (PT), which measures the extrinsic pathway activities is done to determine the presence or absence of clotting factors IIIa (tissue factor), VIIa, and Xa, while the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), which measures the intrinsic pathway activities, determines the presence or absence of factors XIIa, XIa, IXa, VIIIa and Xa. The formation of Xa which is simultaneous (at different timings) from both pathways results in the activation of prothrombin to thrombin, and thrombin automatically activates fibrinogen to form a more stable fibrin. The coagulation pathways when triggered continues in a cascade of activities which eventually results in bleeding arrest. These clotting factors involved in the cascade activities are sensitive to the presence of circulating anticoagulants and drugs like heparin which may prolong the PT and aPTT in both rats and humans [7, 8]. Pathophysiological events that could lead to thrombosis may include hyperactivity of the coagulation cascades, atherosclerosis which may lead to narrowing of blood vessels, and stagnation of blood flow resulting in immobility. Many of these events are not clinically apparent but still could lead to later problems like myocardial infarction, stroke, deep vein thrombosis and stenosis which affects about 20% of patients admitted to a medical service [9].