Salvia miltiorrhiza prevents deep vein thrombosis via antioxidative effects in endothelial cells

Abstract Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common clinical problem, which represents a significant clinical and economic burden. The present study investigated whether Salvia miltiorrhiza (S. miltiorrhiza) could prevent DVT. A total of 30 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (n=10 per group): The control, model and Salvia groups. A ligation model was used, where the femoral veins of rabbits were exposed and ligated. Measurements of coagulation function, blood rheological parameters, antioxidative function and effects on endothelial cells were conducted. Treatment with S. miltiorrhiza one week prior to generation of the ligation model did not affect the coagulation function much, except to increase the prothrombin time. There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) in whole blood viscosity (1/s, 5/s, 30/s) on the third and seventh days (1/s, 5/s, 30/s and 200/s) following generation of the model. S. miltiorrhiza exhibited promising antioxidative effects, as demonstrated by a significant decrease in malondialdehyde content (P<0.05), and an increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase (P<0.05), as compared with the model group. S. miltiorrhiza was also shown to protect the vascular endothelial cells, as compared with the model group. These results suggest that S. miltiorrhiza may have potential applications for the treatment of DVT.