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Investigation of Hemostasis Using Plantain Sheath/Stem, Cassava Leaf and Snail Juices in Human Blood in-vitro

Valentine Chi Mbatchou*, Tuonuur James Williams

Inhabitants of most rural communities of West Africa have limited health care facilities and walk long distances to seek medical attention when injured. This sometimes lead to loss of blood and death. To minimize loss of blood from injured individuals by clot formation, juices from plantain sheath/stem, cassava leaf and snail are applied on injured areas. The present work therefore investigated Musa paradisiaca sheath/stem, Manihot essculanta leaf and Achatina marginata juices for hemostatic property using human blood in-vitro. Screening indicated these juices contain tannins, flavonoids and other secondary metabolites. Morphological studies showed formation of a protein network on adding each of the three juices to fresh whole blood, plasma and serum respectively. The protein network formed was as a result of interactions between tannins found in the juices and proteins in the blood components. Microscopic analysis revealed aggregation of red blood cells as each of the juices was added to whole blood. High molecular weight fibrinogen found in whole blood, could have been caused by tannins and flavonoids found present in the juices. Insoluble proteins increased blood viscosity and inhibited movement of the red blood cells. Coagulatory potencies expressed in Prothrombin Times (PTs), revealed the snail juice of 0.80 mL volume had the least time for clot formation (PT=10.02 seconds), and indicated its hemostatic property. This PT was lesser compared to that of the standard, liquid plastin (PT= 11.0-12.5 seconds). As volumes of the three juices were increased from 0.8 to 1.0 mL, their PTs correspondingly decreased (p< 0.05). The snail juice of 0.9 mL volume had the least PT of 8.52 seconds. The plantain stem juice of 0.9 mL volume was next to the snail juice in order of ranking with a PT of 10.79 seconds, and lastly the cassava leaf juice of 1.0 mL volume with a PT of 14.42 seconds. Comparatively, the PTs for the plantain stem and snail juices were the same as the PT for the liquid plastin (PT=11.0 to 12.5 seconds, p<0.050), and all the three juices had PTs within the range considered for substances to be hemostatic (≤ 20.0 seconds). This demonstrated an increased in hemostasis as volumes of the juices were increased, and therefore the plantain stem, cassava leaf and snail juices possess hemostatic property. A blend of the plantain stem and snail juices (1:1) revealed a lesser PT of 18.20 seconds compared to the PT of ≤ 20.0 seconds considered for hemostatic substances. Thus the plantain stem, cassava leaf and snail juices, and the blend of the plantain stem and snail juices (1:1) investigated in the present research work demonstrated hemostasis, and possess hemostatic property. This scientific evidence supports the use of plantain stem, cassava leaf and snail juices as hemostatic substances.