for advancing nutrition and ensuring food security. Amaranthus blitum L. (AB) stands out as one such crop with a traditional
history of being used to treat intestinal disorders, roundworm infections, and hemorrhage. This study aimed
to evaluate the anthelmintic and hematologic activities across various extracts of AB and investigate the phytoconstituents
responsible for these activities.
Methods In vitro anthelmintic activity against Trichinella spiralis was evaluated in terms of larval viability reduction.
The anti-platelet activities were assessed based on the inhibitory effect against induced platelet aggregation. Further,
effects on the extrinsic pathway, the intrinsic pathway, and the ultimate common stage of blood coagulation, were
monitored through measuring blood coagulation parameters: prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin
time (aPTT), and thrombin time (TT), respectively. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic
analysis.
Results Interestingly, a previously undescribed compound (19), N-(cis-p-coumaroyl)-ʟ-tryptophan, was isolated
and identified along with 21 known compounds. Significant in vitro larvicidal activities were demonstrated
by the investigated AB extracts at 1 mg/mL. Among tested compounds, compound 18 (rutin) displayed the highest
larvicidal activity. Moreover, compounds 19 and 20 (N-(trans-p-coumaroyl)-ʟ-tryptophan) induced complete
larval death within 48 h. The crude extract exhibited the minimal platelet aggregation of 43.42 ± 11.69%, compared
with 76.22 ± 14.34% in the control plasma. Additionally, the crude extract and two compounds 19 and 20 significantly
inhibited the extrinsic coagulation pathway.
Conclusions These findings extend awareness about the nutritional value of AB as a food, with thrombosis-preventing
capabilities and introducing a promising source for new anthelmintic and anticoagulant agents.
Keywords Amaranthus blitum L., Amaranthaceae, Anthelmintic, Haemostatic, Anti-coagulant, Anti-platelet