Effect of Citrofortunella microcarpa (Calamansi) Peelings on Whole Blood Coagulation Using Blood Samples from Albino Mice

Abstract

Citrofortunella microcarpa, locally known as calamansi in the Philippines, is an intergeneric hybrid between Citrus reticulata and Fortunella japonica. This fruit is widely cultivated in the Philippines for its fruit juice as an abundant source of vitamin C and as a condiment in many local foods in the country. Sadly, only the pulp is needed for squeezing while the peels are thrown after extracting the juice. Previous studies revealed that the peels of Citrus, as member of the Rutaceae family, can synthesize both coumarins and furanocoumarins wherein their derivates are used as oral anticoagulants which can inhibit vitamin K from functioning as a cofactor in the hepatic synthesis of the vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X. In this study, the extract of calamansi peelings were proven to have an anticoagulant property on blood samples from albino mice. This study will pave the way for scientists to allot time in studying calamansi peelings for it may be another source of medicine to help patients who are prone to have stroke, myocardial infarction, and other blood clotting diseases.