Characterization of the intracellular mechanisms involved in the antiaggregant properties of cinnamtannin B-1 from bay wood in human platelets.

Cinnamtannin B-1, a natural A-type proanthocyanidin recently identified as a radical scavenger component of Laurus nobilis L., exerts antiaggregant and antiapoptotic effects in human platelets. Here, we have investigated the intracellular mechanisms involved in the antiaggregant effects of cinnamtannin B-1. Cinnamtannin B-1 showed a greater free radical scavenging activity than vitamin C, vitamin E, or Trolox, among other antioxidants and reduced thrombin-evoked tubulin reorganization and platelet aggregation. Thrombin-evoked activation of Btk and pp60(src) was also inhibited by cinnamtannin B-1. In conclusion, we show that cinnamtannin B-1 is a powerful oxygen radical scavenger that reduces thrombin-evoked microtubular remodeling and activation of the tyrosine kinases Btk and pp60(src), which leads to inhibition of platelet aggregation. These observations suggest that cinnamtannin B-1 may prevent thrombotic complications associated to platelet hyperaggregability and hyperactivity, although further studies are necessary to establish appropriate therapeutic strategies.