Platycodin D Inhibits Platelet Function and Thrombus Formation Through Inducing Internalization of Platelet Glycoprotein Receptors

Background: Platycodin D (PD) is one of the major bioactive components of the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum and possesses multiple biological and pharmacological properties, such as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. However, whether it affects platelet function remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the role of PD in platelet function and thrombus formation.

Methods: Platelets were treated with PD followed by measuring platelet aggregation, activation, spreading, clot retraction, expression of glycoprotein receptors. Moreover, mice platelets were treated with PD and infused into wild-type mice for analysis of in vivo hemostasis and arterial thrombosis.

Results: Platycodin D treatment significantly inhibited platelet aggregation in response to collagen, ADP, arachidonic acid and epinephrine, reduced platelet P-selectin expression, integrin αβ activation, spreading on fibrinogen as well as clot retraction, accompanied with decreased phosphorylation of Syk and PLCγ2 in collagen-related peptide or thrombin-stimulated platelets. Moreover, PD-treated mice platelets presented significantly impaired in vivo hemostasis and arterial thrombus formation. Interestingly, PD induced internalization of glycoprotein receptors αβ, GPIbα and GPVI. However, GM6001, cytochalasin D, BAPTA-AM and wortmannin did not prevent PD-induced internalization of receptors.

Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that PD inhibits platelet aggregation, activation and impairs hemostasis and arterial thrombosis, suggesting it might be a potent anti-thrombotic drug.