Effect Of Simon Capsules On Circulating Platelet And Its Long-term Toxicology

BackgroundThrombocytopenia is a common and frequently occurring disease, which is thought to be related to the autoimmune disorder, and with clinical symptom of decreased platelet count in peripheral blood. Classic treatment of thrombocytopenia is through drugs like glucocorticoids or immunosuppressor, but the adverse effects caused by the long-term usage of those drugs are quite common, and the disease recrudescence frequently happens after medicine withdrawn. Simon belongs to Ipomoea category of Convolvulaceae section, and the traditional usage of simon in Brazil has proved its effect on hemostasis. In the present study, we explored the effect of simon capsules on elevating platelet count and evaluated the safety of the drug.METHODSImmune thrombocytopenia rabbit model was induced by injection of guinea pig serum of anti-rabbit-platelet in rabbits. Immune thrombocytopenia rat model was induced by injection of rabbit serum of anti-rat-platelet in rats. Thrombocytopenia mouse model was induced by radiation in mice. Thrombocytopenia rabbit model was induced by injection of arachidonic acid in rabbits. Platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells and megakaryoblastic cells were counted, hemoglobin was measured through colorimetric method, and platelet related IgG (PAIgG) were measured through ELISA method.Long-term toxicology of Simon capsules was evaluated in bothdogs and rats. RESULTSPretreatment or treatment with simon capsules increased platelets, while decreased megakaryoblastic cells and PAIgG level in the immune thrombocytopenia rabbit model. In the immune thrombocytopenia rat model, simon capsules significantly increased platelets count, but had no effect on red blood cells and white blood cells. In the thrombocytopenia mouse model, simon capsules significantly increased platelets count, and elevated white blood cells and hemoglobin level. In the thrombocytopenia rabbit model, simon capsules increased platelets and white blood cells.In rats and Beagle dogs, orally administration of simon capsules didn't induce obvious pathologic changes in routine blood count, biochemistry blood analysis and organic morphology for the continuing 13 weeks treatment and during the recovery period.CONCLUSIONSimon capsules significantly increase platelet count in thrombocytopenia models induced by immune response, radiation or chemical compounds.Long-term treatment with simon capsules does not induce obvious toxicology effects.