Angelica keiskei (Ashitaba) has potential as an antithrombotic health food

• Published in: Food Research (Online) Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 18 - 24
• Main Authors: Ohkura, N., Taniguchi, M., Oishi, K., Inoue, K., Ohta, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 06-03-2022
• ISSN: 2550-2166; 2550-2166
• DOI: 10.26656/fr.2017.6(2).121

Angelica keiskei (Ashitaba) is a large perennial herb that is native to the Pacific coast of
Japan. It has recently become popular as a healthy food in Asian countries because it
might have various physiological benefits including antithrombotic properties. Most
studies of the bioactive constituents from Ashitaba have focused on the activities of the
major chalcones, xanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin. However, other chalcones,
flavanones and coumarins have also been isolated from Ashitaba, precisely characterized,
and investigated in vivo. Platelets play a key role in haemostasis and wound healing
processes. Dysregulated platelet activity is associated with the progression of platelet
aggregation and decreased venous blood flow, which results in thrombotic diseases. A
minor chalcone, xanthoangelol E, inhibits TXB2 synthesis in rabbit platelets, which seems
to be the source of the belief that Ashitaba has antithrombotic properties. However, recent
data showed that xanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin inhibited the aggregation of rabbit
platelets. Platelet aggregation stimulated by collagen was also inhibited in whole blood
incubated with Xanthoangelol or 4-hydroxyderricin. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 is
the primary physiological inhibitor of tissue type plasminogen activator, a key protease of
the fibrinolytic system. An increase in plasma of this inhibitor is associated with
thrombotic conditions. Ashitaba yellow exudate inhibited the elevation of plasma
plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in mice induced by obesity or chronic low-grade
inflammation. These studies showed the yellow exudate from stem cuttings and chalcones
isolated from Ashitaba roots and leaves might have antithrombotic activity. This article
reviews the possible antithrombotic properties of Ashitaba.