Phytochemical profiling and in vitro anti-platelet activity of ethyl acetate and hexane leaf fractions of Carica papaya L.

The purpose of the study was to ascertain the in vitro anti-platelets activity, and chemical components of ethyl acetate and hexane fractions. The powdered plant sample was extracted using methanol solvent, reconstituted in aqueous solvent, and re-extracted with ethyl acetate and hexane to obtain the extract fractions. Phytochemical screening was carried out to identify the presence of phytoconstituents. Identification and concentration of phenolic compounds were conducted using HPLC analysis, and in vitro anti-platelet activity was done using the adrenaline-induced platelet aggregation model and the calcium chloride-induced platelet aggregation method. Flavonoids, phenols, glycosides, and saponins were present, while alkaloids, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids were absent in both fractions. HPLC analysis identified gallic acid (1.53 mg/100 g) and caffeic acid (154.12 mg/100 g) in the ethyl acetate fraction, while gallic acid (1.473688 mg/100 g), caffeic acid (49.64646 mg/100 g), and two unidentified chemical compounds having concentrations of 1.6774 mg/100 g and 0.5555 mg/100 g were recognized in the hexane fraction. Both fractions showed good anti-platelet activity, with the ethyl acetate fraction exhibiting a significant inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation with IC50: 697.35 and 520.83 μg/ml analyzed by both methods compared to the hexane fraction having IC50: 816.99 and 582.75 μg/ml. Aspirin used in the study showed an inhibitory effect with IC50: 572.74 and 478.01 μg/ml. The fractions exhibited inhibitory action against platelet aggregation due to adrenaline and calcium chloride. This could be attributed to the abundance of caffeic acid and gallic acid in both the fractions.