Phytochemicals from the Xanthium Strumarium Plant Shows Strong Blood Clot Blocking Effects and is Safer Than Aspirin
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 10, 2025 52 minutes ago
Medical News: A Traditional Herb Offers New Hope Against Dangerous Blood Clots
Researchers from Kyungpook National University in South Korea, Namseoul University, and Pir-Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University in Pakistan have discovered that phytochemicals from a common medicinal herb, Xanthium strumarium, may help prevent dangerous blood clots that can lead to strokes and heart attacks. This traditional plant, used for centuries in Asia and other regions, was shown to powerfully reduce platelet clumping—one of the early triggers for clot formation—and to protect blood vessels in laboratory animals.
A common herb used in traditional medicine may help prevent deadly blood clots, new research shows
This
Medical News report highlights how scientists tested extracts of Xanthium strumarium in both lab and animal models and found that it significantly blocked multiple steps in the blood clotting process. Their findings could one day offer safer, plant-based alternatives to aspirin and other blood thinners, which can cause side effects like stomach ulcers or resistance over time.
Plant Extract Stops Platelets from Sticking Together
The research team prepared plant extracts using ethanol and tested their effects on blood platelets taken from both rats and humans. The extract strongly blocked the clumping of platelets caused by several clot-triggering agents like collagen, ADP, thrombin, and U46619. These effects were clearly visible using light transmission tests and high-resolution microscope images, which showed that the platelets maintained their normal shape instead of becoming sticky and activated.
The researchers also showed that Xanthium strumarium prevented key chemical signals inside platelets, including the release of calcium and ATP, both of which are essential for full platelet activation.
How the Plant Works at the Cellular Level
Further experiments revealed that the plant extract interfered with critical platelet receptors and proteins. It blocked the activity of a major surface protein called integrin αIIbβ3, which normally allows platelets to clump tightly by binding to fibrinogen. Additionally, the extract disrupted two important signaling pathways inside the cells—MAPK and PI3K/Akt—which are known to drive platelet activation, shape change, and clot stability.
In clot retraction and spreading tests, platelets exposed to the plant extract showed greatly reduced ability to form strong or large clots, indicating that both early and late phases of clotting were effectively inhibited.
Animal Tests Confirm Protective Effects in the Body
The team used a standard mouse model to test how the extract worked in real blood vessels. When the carotid arteries of mice were injured using ferric chloride to mimic blood vessel damage, those treated with the extract had better blood flow and higher survival rates than untreated mice. At higher doses, the effects were similar to aspirin.&l
t;br />
They also analyzed the plant’s main chemical compounds and found that catechol, hydroquinone, and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole likely contribute to its effectiveness. These natural ingredients showed favorable drug-like properties, including good absorption and low predicted toxicity.
A Natural Alternative Worth Further Study
The researchers believe that Xanthium strumarium could become a natural alternative to current antiplatelet medications, especially for people who are sensitive to synthetic drugs. The extract showed no toxicity in the doses tested, and key ingredients had already been shown to be safe in previous studies. However, more work is needed to confirm these effects in human trials and understand the best dosages and possible side effects in the long term.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Biomedicines.
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/12/2924
For the latest on Herbs and Phytochemicals, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/herbs-and-phytochemicals
Share
Tweet
Share
