Antiplatelet Action of Ilexoside D, a Triterpenoid Saponin from Ilex pubescens

The anti-platelet activity of ilexoside D isolated from the roots of Ilex pubescens Hook. et Arn. was investigated in in vitro and ex vivo models of platelet aggregation induced by ADP, thrombin or collagen in rats. In vitro ilexoside D inhibited more effectively platelet aggregation induced by ADP and thrombin than by collagen as compared with aspirin. Ex vivo ilexoside D also inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen, but not by thrombin, and the inhibitory action of ilexoside D was more effective than that of aspirin. However, in vitro ilexoside D inhibited very poorly the generation of malonyldialdehyde, which is known to be concomitantly released with thromboxane $A_2$ during platelet aggregation. These results suggest that the anti-platelet activity of ilexoside D may not be responsible for prostaglandin synthesis in platelets.