In-vitro analysis of the anticoagulation properties of Kamias (Averrhoa Bilimbi)
Rizza R. Ballesteros, Jhondell G. Cantos & Joel R. Aguilan
Abstract
This study investigated the potential of Averrhoa bilimbi (kamias) extract as a novel anticoagulant and compared its efficacy with the commercially available anticoagulant potassium oxalate. Averrhoa bilimbi is naturally rich in oxalic acid, which is known for its anticoagulant properties. Blood samples were obtained from two healthy donors, one male and one female. Given its feasibility, wide availability, and cost-effectiveness, an experimental design was employed to evaluate the in vitro anticoagulant properties of kamias through a series of controlled experiments. The study was conducted in three progressive experimental phases. The initial phase examined the anticoagulant activity of freshly prepared kamias filtrate derived from ground fruit. Although preliminary results indicated some anticoagulant potential, clot formation was observed, suggesting interference from an unidentified clotting factor. To address this limitation, a second phase, referred to as the “refinement phase,” was implemented. In this phase, the kamias filtrate was treated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) to produce kamias extract oxalic acid (KEOx), which enhanced its ability to inhibit clot formation. This phase also enabled the identification of the clotting factor responsible for the unexpected coagulation observed earlier. In the final phase, procoagulant-free KEOx was tested and documented using standardized observation sheets to assess macroscopic and microscopic clot formation. Statistical analysis of the results indicated that KEOx exhibited anticoagulant activity comparable to that of standard anticoagulant blood collection tubes, although further refinement is needed to eliminate remaining interferences. The findings suggest that KEOx has potential applications in other laboratory settings, such as serving as an alternative dilution reagent for manual cell counting. Conversely, the natural procoagulant properties observed in untreated kamias also highlight its potential value in procoagulant research.
Keywords
oxalic acid, oxalate, KEOx anticoagulant, calcium chelation
Author information & Contribution
Rizza R. Ballesteros. Corresponding author. Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, Calayan Educational Foundation, Inc., Philippines. E-mail: gollosodandel@gmail.com
Jhondell G. Cantos. Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, Calayan Educational Foundation, Inc., Philippines.
Joel R. Aguilan. Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, Calayan Educational Foundation, Inc., Philippines.
"All authors equally contributed to the conception, design, preparation, data gathering and analysis, and writing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript."
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Funding
This work was not supported by any funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines of Calayan Educational Foundation, Inc. The conduct of this study has been approved and given relative clearance(s) by Calayan Educational Foundation, Inc.
Data and Materials Availability
The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
AI Declaration
The author declares the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in writing this paper. In particular, the authors utilised ChatGPT for language editing, restructuring sentences, and improving clarity. The authors take full responsibility for ensuring proper review and editing of the AI-generated content.
Notes
Acknowledgement
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Cite this article:
Ballesteros, R.R., Cantos, J.G. & Aguilan, J.R. (2025). In-vitro analysis of the anticoagulation properties of Kamias (Averrhoa Bilimbi). Journal of Allied Health Sciences & Medical Research, 1(4), 25-46. https://doi.org/10.53378/jahsmr.353298
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