Antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities of purpurogallin in vitro and in vivo.

Enzymatic oxidation of pyrogallol was efficiently transformed to an oxidative product, purpurogallin (PPG). Here, the anticoagulant activities of PPG were examined by monitoring activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), and the activities of thrombin and activated factor X (FXa). And, the effects of PPG on expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) were evaluated in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Treatment with PPG resulted in prolonged aPTT and PT and inhibition of the activities of thrombin and FXa, as well as inhibited production of thrombin and FXa in HUVECs. In addition, PPG inhibited thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization and platelet aggregation. PPG also elicited anticoagulant effects in mice. In addition, treatment with PPG resulted in significant reduction of the PAI-1 to t-PA ratio. Collectively, PPG possesses antithrombotic activities and offers a basis for development of a novel anticoagulant.