Detection and Extraction of Heparin from Camel Lungs

Abstract

© 2019 Bentham Science Publishers. Background: Heparin is an essential drug used as an anticoagulant. Access to raw material suitable for heparin extraction is critical for creating a viable business opportunity. In Saudi Arabia, large amounts of raw material with potential for heparin extraction are wasted. Objective: To extract heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) from the camel lung, and measure its potency and activity. Methods: Heparin preparation included three steps: Extraction, electrophoretic identification, and activity measurement. Fresh lung tissue (100 g) was minced and homogenized in a blender. Crude heparin extracts were prepared using Charles’s or Volpi’s method with slight modifications. Heparin was purified by electrophoresis using high-purity agarose gels in barium acetate buffer. The heparin activity of purified samples was assayed spectrophotometrically using commercial heparin kits. Results: Charles’s and Volpi’s extraction methods were simple and easy to establish. The yield was 90 mg crude heparin per 100 g of camel lung tissue following Volpi’s extraction protocol, whereas Charles’s method did not yield any heparin. The separation of heparin and LMWH by gel electropho- resis resulted in sharp and clear product bands using material prepared according to Volpi’s method. The heparin preparation had an anti-factor Xa activity of 37 IU/mg, indicating weak potency. Conclusion: Preparation of active heparin from camel lung tissue is a technology applicable in manu- facturing. Further method development is needed to increase heparin purity and potency.