Chemical profile and antithrombotic activity of the essential oil of Levisticum officinale W.D.J.Koch (Apiaceae)

Cardiovascular diseases generate high costs for public health systems, making it necessary to develop/discover anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents. In this context, the present study investigated the antithrombotic action of the essential oil of Levisticum officinale W.D.J. Koch in an in vitro experimental model. The oil chemical composition was characterized using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The trypan blue exclusion assay in platelets (in vitro) was carried out. Systemic toxicity was studied by an in vivo model of Galleria mellonella larvae. Platelet aggregation assay was performed by turbidimetry in an aggregometer device, using the adenosine receptor agonist, ADP, and epinephrine (EPI). Coagulation was determined by prothrombin activity time (PT) and partially activated thromboplastin time (aPTT) in the coagulation system. Platelet activation was assessed by P-selectin expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content by flow cytometry and fluorescence, respectively. The oil is composed of monoterpenes, including α-terpinyl acetate, β-phellandrene, β-myrcene, α-terpineol, and (Z)-β-ocimene. The oil did not show toxicity in vitro and in vivo. The oil significantly reduced platelet aggregation against ADP and EPI. EPI-induced aggregation was most potently inhibited. Treatment of platelets with oil showed a decrease in P-selectin expression and ROS production when compared to vehicle. On the other hand, the oil did not interfere in PT and aPTT. The results demonstrated that the essential oil of Levisticum officinale has antiplatelet action but without anticoagulant effects.