Abstract: Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and sappan wood (Caesalpinia sappan L.) have been shown to inhibit in vitro platelet aggregation. This study aimed to prove efficacy of the combination of both these plants by examining in vivo antithrombotic activity in an experimental thrombosis model in mice: acute pulmonary thromboembolism to calculate the survival rate and bleeding time test. Mice were divided into two experimental groups (bleeding time and survival rate). Acute pulmonary thromboembolism was induced, after combination of ginger and sappan wood extract treatment, by an intravenous injection of a collagen and epinephrine mixture. The paralyzed and dead mice in each group were numbered and the percentage of protection against acute pulmonary thromboembolism (survival rate) was calculated. Bleeding time was observed on mice tail that had been cut. Combination of ginger and sappan wood extract at dose of 56 mg : 14 mg/20 g/day, administered orally, showed an antithrombotic activity preventing the paralysis or death (83.33%) induced by collagen-epinephrine intravenous injection. Combination of ginger and sappan wood extract at the same dose also extending bleeding time of mice significantly (p ≤ 0.05) compared with the normal control. Based on these results, combination of ginger – sappan extract has a potential as anti hemostasis and cardiovascular disorder agent. Clincal trials would be necessary and relevant to confirm this hypothesis.

Keywords: Antithrombotic; ginger; sappan wood; in vivo; bleeding time; survival rate