Evaluation of the Bark of Aegle Marmelos (Bael) Extracts for Their Effect on Coagulation Profile in Albino Rats

In recent times plant derived substances has received attention and their use as medicines are being tried. Aegle Marmelos, one of the medicinal plants with traditional values against various diseases. Therefore, this study intended to investigate its bark extracts for its anti coagulant activity as it contains more coumarin than in any other part of the plant. The bark of Aegle Marmelos was dried, powdered and used for preparation of extracts. Two types of extracts were prepared, decoction and alcohol extract. Extracts were fed to male albino rats of 100gm to 200gm body weight which were grouped into 6 groups with 6 animals in each group. Group 1 was a “control” group, Group 2 “standard” and Group 3, 4, 5 & 6 were test rats. Tests were conducted after 1 hour of administering the drug. No animal was reused. The coagulation tests, namely bleeding time, whole blood clotting time, one stage Prothrombin time (PT) and Prothrombin index (PI) were conducted. Mice fed with either decoction or alcohol extract did not show any effect on bleeding time and clotting time. Both decoction and alcohol extract decreased the prothrombin index significantly (<0.05). The decrease was highly significant at larger dosages (200, 500 and 500mg/100gm body weight). Aegle marmelos extracts decreases the prothrombin index without affecting the bleeding or clotting time.