Laelia furfuracea is an endemic orchid from Mexico, with antioxidant activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroethanolic extract and fractions obtained from the orchid leaves on the clotting times of patients with venous thromboembolic disease (VTD) and to identify their tentative compounds. The anticoagulant activity was evaluated by determining prothrombin (PT), thrombin (TT) and, activated partial thromboplastin (APTT) times. Identification of the compounds was carried out using a chromatographic technique with an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographic analyzer coupled with electrospray ionization with quadrupole time of flight-mass-mass spectrometry. The extract prolonged the clotting times depending on the concentration-response (5-60 mg / mL); 25 mg/mL prolonged the PT (33.2 ± 2.3 s) and TT (33.1 ± 0.3 s); and APTT (61.8 ± 3.4 s) at a concentration of 15 mg/mL. The main groups tentatively identified were xanthine, carboxylic acid, amino acid, and phenolic compounds. These compounds or the synergy between them prolong clotting times. Laelia furfuracea is an orchid with research potential in the search for new anticoagulant agents. Resumen. Laelia furfuracea es una orquídea endémica de México, la cual posee actividad antioxidante. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto del extracto hidroetanólico y fracciones obtenidas de hojas de la orquídea sobre los tiempos de coagulación de pacientes con enfermedad tromboembólica venosa (ETV) e identificar sus posibles compuestos. La actividad anticoagulante se evaluó determinando los tiempos de protrombina (TP), trombina (TT) y tromboplastina parcial activada (TTPA). La identificación de los compuestos se realizó usando una técnica cromatográfica con un analizador cromatográfico líquido de Ultra Alta Resolución con Ionización por electroespray acoplado a espectrometría de masas con Cuadrupolo y Tiempo de Vuelo. El extracto prolongó los tiempos de coagulación dependiente de la concentración-respuesta (5-60 mg/mL); 25 mg/mL prolongó el TP (33.2±2.3 s) y TT (33.1±0.3 s); y TTPA (61.8±3.4 s) a una concentración de 15 mg/mL. Los principales grupos de posibles compuestos identificados fueron xantina, ácido carboxílico, aminoácido y compuestos fenólicos. Estos compuestos o la sinergia entre ellos prolongan los tiempos de coagulación. Laelia furfuracea es una orquídea con potencial en investigación para la búsqueda de nuevos agentes anticoagulantes.

Thrombosis is the occlusion of a blood vessel and is responsible for the highest number of deaths worldwide. Its treatment comprises the use of anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and thrombolytics. Although many antithrombotic drugs are currently available, none is completely effective and safe. Plants are a valuable source of compounds with antithrombotic properties. Some orchid species have been used in traditional medicine for their antithrombotic properties. This review informs about the contribution of orchids in this field and the studies that have validated their properties.

Prosthechea karwinskii is an orchid endemic to southeastern Mexico used in traditional medicine. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cardioprotective activity. Given the relationship between inflammation, oxidative stress, and coagulation in the development of atherothrombosis, the objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of P. karwinskii leaves extract as a possible alternative to reduce the risk of atherothrombosis. The compounds of the extract were identified by UHPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS. The content of total phenols and flavonoids was measured, as well as its antioxidant capacity (DPPH and DCFH-DA essays) and its effect on clotting times. The results showed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the extract, as well as their antioxidant capacity. In addition, the extract prolonged clotting times, mainly thrombin, and activated partial thromboplastin times, i.e., it inhibited the intrinsic pathway of hemostasis and the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. These results and the background of the extract show its potential as a treatment to reduce atherothrombotic risk, as well as for other diseases whose pathogenesis involves oxidative stress and coagulation.

Laelia furfuracea is an orchid endemic to Oaxaca, Mexico, used for the treatment of cough and has anticoagulant activity. We aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of the hydroethanolic extract of L. furfuracea leaves and identify its phytochemical compounds. The leaf material was subjected to solid–liquid extraction. Compounds were identified by UPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS/MS. The Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum trichloride methods were used to quantify phenols and flavonoids, respectively. The DPPH method was used to determine the antioxidant activity. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in a model of carrageenan-induced plantar edema induced in Wistar rats. Compounds tentatively identified in L. furfuracea leaves were malic, citric, succinic, hydroximethylglutaric, azelaic, eucomic, and protocatechuic acids, saponarin, luteolin-7,3′-di-O-glucoside, isoorientin, and vitexin. The contents of total phenols and flavonoids and antioxidant activity were 394.7 ± 0.1 mg EqAG/g, 129.9 ± 0.005 mg EqQ/g, and 84.6 ± 1.4%, respectively. The anti-inflammatory effect of the extract was dose-dependent, where 1000 µg/paw presented a 43.4% reduction in inflammation, similar to naproxen. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of the hydroethanolic extract of Laelia furfuracea leaves was demonstrated. This effect may be due to the synergy between its compounds. This orchid is a potential candidate for future pharmacological research due to its anti-inflammatory activity.

Background: Laelia furfuracea is an orchid with anticoagulant properties; however, it is unknown which coagulation factors are inhibited and whether the plant has antiplatelet activity. Questions: Does the hydroethanolic extract of leaves of L. furfuracea inhibit coagulation factor activity and platelet aggregation? Studied species: Laelia furfuracea. Study site and dates: Plant material was collected in April 2023 in Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán, Oaxaca, Mexico. Methods: The anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects of the extracts of L. furfuracea were evaluated in samples from patients with thrombosis through coagulometric assays and light transmission aggregometry. Results: The extract of L. furfuracea inhibited the activity of factors II, V, VIII, and XI in a concentration-dependent manner. The highest extract concentration, 14.0 mg/mL, inhibited about 60 % of factors II and V activity, but ˃ 95 % of factors VIII and XI. Moreover, at a 1.0 mg/mL concentration, the extract inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP, thrombin, and epinephrine in 85, 97, and 83 %, respectively. Conclusions: It was demonstrated that the orchid extract inhibits both the activity of factors II, V, VIII, XI, and thrombin-, ADP-, and epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation. Polyphenols stand out among the possible bioactive compounds of the orchid with anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet activity.