Determination of the Antiplatelet Aggregation Activity of the Methanolic Extract of Alocasia macrorrhiza L. (Biga) Leaves using Modified Giemsa Microplate Assay

Alocasia macrorrhiza L. is locally known as “Biga†or “Giant taro;†The plant grows commonly in low or medium altitude forests and is widely distributed all over the Philippines. It is used mainly as a decoration in some household. Early and other pharmacological studies presented its thrombolytic activity. The present study determined the antiplatelet aggregation activity of the plant using modified Giemsa microplate assay. The platelet aggregation response of the following groups was determined: positive control (Aspirin 80mg/mL), negative control (normal saline solution) and experimental groups (250 mg/mL, 500 mg/mL, and 750 mg/mL). The researchers identified the absence of clot in each group and subjected the results to statistical analysis. The findings show that the methanolic extract of Alocasia macrorrhiza L. has antiplatelet aggregation activity in concentrations 500 mg/mL and 750 mg/mL, and its effect is comparable to that of the positive control Aspirin 80 mg. Therefore, Alocasia macrorrhiza leaf may be further studied as a potential alternative medicine for antiplatelet therapy.

 

Keywords: Alocasia macrorrhiza, antiplatelet aggregation activity, Giemsa microplate assay, aspiri