The hypocoagulant effect of Crataegus aronia in rats entails vitamin K‐dependent and vitamin K‐independent effects

This study investigated the effect of the aqueous extract of Crataegus aronia on blood coagulation in rats. Rats (200 ± 10 g,) were divided into two groups (6 rats/each) of control or C. aronia‐treated rats which treated with the vehicle or the extract (200 mg/kg) for 21 days. With normal liver structure, serum levels of ALT, AST and ɣ‐GT, platelet count, and plasma levels of vWF, values of PT and aPTT were significantly increased in C. aronia‐treated rats. Also, it lowered serum levels of vitamin K (VK) and plasma activities of FII, FV, FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX, and FXI and downregulated hepatic levels of the VK‐dependent factors (FII, FVII, FIX, and FX). In addition, C. aronia reduced fecal levels of triglycerides and cholesterol and serum levels triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL‐c, and vLDL‐c. In conclusion, with the hypocoagulant effect of C. aronia activity involves VK‐dependent and non‐vitamin K‐dependent factors. Practical applications In this study, we are reporting for the first time an in vivo hypocoagulant effect of C. aronia in rats. Such effect involved both VK‐dependent and independent factors. However, the decrease in the activity and expression of VK‐dependent factors was associated with reduced fecal levels of TGs and CHOL and serum levels of TGs, CHOL, LDL‐c, and vLDL‐c. These data suggest a possible impairment in the VK absorption, transport, or hepatic uptake. These data encourage further pharmacological, translational, and clinical studies to isolate the active ingredients to investigate them at the human level. OLin this study, adminsitration of C. aronia extract inhibited tryiglycedies and cholesterol synthesis and possibily vitamine K absorbtion. This led to decrease hepatic liver bioavailability and so a signifcant decrease in vitamine K‐dependent factors synthesis. Crataegus aronia induces hypogoagulation in rats by inhibiting vitamin K‐dependent and independent factors. C. aronia significantly lowered TGs and CHOL intestinal absorption as well as their serum levels. C. aronia lowered serum levels of vitamin K, the hepatic levels of all vitamin K‐dependent factor and the plasma activity of other non‐vitamin K‐dependent factors.