Hemostasis is the natural mechanism by which blood is kept in a fluid state in circulation with the ability to cause clotting at an injury site. The effects of Croton megalocarpus Hutch and Lantana camara Linn plants leaves on blood coagulation has not been scientifically tested despite their common use in bleeding control. The current study investigates the effects of the plants leaves extracts on mice plasma coagulation time. Leaves of C. megalocarpus (H.) and L. camara (L.) were harvested, washed, air dried, crushed, extracted in absolute methanol and concentrated. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screen of both extracts was done. A total of 55 mice plasma samples were treated with solutions of leaves extracts of both plants and before Prothrombin Time (PT) and activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) were determined. Data was analyzed using one way ANOVA. Phytochemical screen on separate extracts of C. megalocarpus (H.) and L. camara (L.) revealed the presence of tannins, phenols, cardiac glycosides, and terpenoids. Moreover, C. megalocarpus (H.) extract contained steroids and flavonoids while that of L. camara (L.) had saponins. Solutions of the various concentrations of methanol leave extracts of C. megalocarpus (H.). L. camara (L.) and leaves blend extracts from both plants reduced aPTT and PT significantly when mixed with normal mice plasma. Significant reduction of aPTT and PT was associated with the activity of tannins, phenols, flavonoids and saponins detected in the plant extracts.
Key words: Hemostasis; prothrombin time; activated partial thromboplastin time; Hemostatic
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