Hemostatic activity screening and skin toxicity of sap of Jatropha multifida L. (Euphorbiaceae) used in traditional medicine (Benin)

Objective: To evaluate the hemostatic potential of Jatropha multifida (J. multifida)'s sap as traditional medicine in Benin attributed hemostatic properties to this substance. Methods: Several hemostatic tests such as blood coagulation time, Quick time, activated cephalin Time, test of milk precipitation and dosage of total proteins of blood samples were performed at 37 °C. Skin toxicity tests were also realized on 14 Wistar rats. Results: Prothrombin time revealed that prior to thromboplastin's addition, there was precipitation of the plasma in all tubes except for the control tube (T0). After addition of thromboplastin, plasma in control tube coagulated in 78 seconds while plasma in tests tubes were not coagulated (>15 min) (P<0.05). The same observations were made for the activated cephalin time for which prior to addition of cephalin activator, there was precipitation of plasma in all tubes except for the control tube (T0). After addition of cephalin activator, plasma in control tube was coagulated within 43.33 seconds while plasma in tests tubes were not coagulated (>15 min) (P<0.05). Blood coagulation time decreased regardless of the administered dose of sap. Time of milk's precipitation showed the sap rushes milk proteins. This was confirmed by the determination of total proteins in serum, proteins which decreased by over 40% with 1/4 dilution for example (P<0.05). Sap hasn't also any irritant effect on the skin of animals (the irritation score obtained was 0.00). Conclusions: It has been proved that using sap of J. multifida has some effects on hemostasis, so its usage in traditional medicine is justified. Moreover, it has no skin toxicity so its usage as local hemostatic is recommended. © 2012 Asian Pacific Tropical Medicine Press.