Serine protease in a bred variety of oriental melon (Cucumis melo L. var. makuwa) curtails vascular thrombosis by balancing hemostasis and fibrinolysis in a rodent model

Maintaining proper blood flow is critical in promoting good health. This study examined whether oral consumption of a bred variety of oriental melon for high serine protease (OMS) dampened collagen/epinephrine (CE)-induced vascular thrombosis in rats in comparison with a regular cultivar (OM). Freeze-dried OM or OMS were administered by oral gavage for 4 weeks. In a CE-induced thrombotic condition, OMS significantly reduced thrombogenesis by inhibiting both cyclooxygenase-1-mediated thromboxane B₂ production and intrinsic blood coagulation pathways. It also stimulated fibrin clot lysis by activating tissue-type plasminogen activator. Besides, OMS restored CE-mediated alterations in adhesion molecules and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, thereby resulting in vasodilation. OM showed similar tendencies, but not statistically equivalent. The current findings, for the first time, suggest that plant SP from OMS may have the potential to protect endothelial and vascular dysfunctions that can be encountered by unintentional exposure to thrombotic risk factors in daily life.