Effect of Chilli Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) on the Bleeding Time, Coagulation Time, and Platelet’s Amount of Rats

Abstract

Chilli pepper (Capsicum Frutescens L.) is traditional medicine, used in Indonesia for many purposes. As a drug, it is good for the heart and blood vessels. The objective of our study was to assess the effect of aqueous extracts of dried fruits of Chilli pepper (Capsicum Frutescens L.) on bleeding time, clotting time and platelet’s amount of rats. The study was carried out on normal white rats, wistar strain. Extracts were administered orally at three doses (0.630 g/kg BW, 0.945 g/kg BW, 1.418 g/kg BW ) and acetosal was used as standard drug. All the doses of aqueous extracts of the dried fruits of chilli pepper (Capsicum Frutescens L.) used in this experiment caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in the bleeding time, clotting time and reduction of rats’ platelets’ amount compared to standard. Chilli pepper (Capsicum Frutescens L.) can influence the bleeding time and clotting time, and can reduce the platelets’ amount better than acetosal and the increased doses of the aqueous extracts have better effect. The above results showed that the aqueous extracts of the dried fruits of Chilli pepper (Capsicum Frutescens L.) has promising potential to be a drug for cardiovascular disease.