Abstract
Biochemical effects of acute and subacute treatments with ambrein were investigated in rats by measuring the total proteins, cholesterol, triglycerides, GOT, GPT and alkaline phosphatase in the blood plasma. Also, determinations of prothrombin time (PT), partial thrombin time (PTT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen level were performed. Furthermore, changes in plasma electrolyte concentration were studied. Ambrein administered i.p. did not cause any toxic symptoms in the liver as revealed by the histology of the liver tissue both in acute and subacute treatments. Ambrein itself did not significantly affect the plasma protein, cholesterol, GOT and GPT profiles, but lowered alkaline phosphatase at high doses (50 and 250 mg/kg) after subacute treatment. Thus far, no specific pattern of action of ambrein in electrolyte control has been found. However, it increased PT, PTT and TT and decreased fibrinogen levels in both the acute and subacute studies, pointing towards its potential as an anticoagulant and antifibrinogenic agent.