Antithrombotic effects of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae in a rat tail thrombosis model using κ-carrageenan

The present study aimed to investigate the preventive role of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (P. brevitarsis) larvae in the kappa-carrageenan-induced rat tail thrombosis model, in comparison with that of heparin. Thrombosis was induced in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by intraperitoneal injection with a dose of 30 mg/kg kappa-carrageenan after receiving oral pretreatment with P. brevitarsis larvae at doses of 300 or 900 mg/kg. The control group was only given physiological saline for 7 days without the administration of kappa-carrageenan. The results indicate that pretreatment with P. brevitarsis larvae at 300 or 900 mg/kg not only significantly reduced the average length of the thrombus but also markedly decreased the fibrinogen levels and serum P-selectin in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). However, there were no notable effects on the blood clotting times, such as prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Moreover, the histological analysis of tail tissues treated with P. brevitarsis larvae supported the serum biochemical findings, thereby providing evidence of enhanced blood circulation. Based on these results, it was concluded that P. brevitarsis larvae had a positive effect on preventing thrombosis in vivo through the reduction of fibrinogen and P-selectin levels, suggesting potential applications for thrombosis prevention.