Researchers in South Korea discovered a strong antithrombotic compound in the endangered 분비나무 conifer that inhibits blood clots more effectively than aspirin [1].
This discovery provides a potential new pharmaceutical path for treating thrombosis, a condition that can lead to life-threatening strokes and myocardial infarctions [3]. Because the tree is facing extinction due to climate change, the research highlights the urgent need to study rare species before they vanish.
The Gyeonggi-do Forest Environment Research Institute, led by researcher Chae Jung-woo, collaborated with Professor Son Ho-yong's team from the Department of Food and Nutrition at National Kyungkuk University [1, 2]. The team identified the antithrombotic efficacy of the extract and registered a patent for a pharmaceutical composition designed to prevent and treat thrombosis on May 18, 2026 [2, 3].
According to laboratory findings, the extract from the 분비나무 is more than twice as effective as aspirin at preventing the formation of blood clots [1]. Chae said the extract has been proven usable in various forms of health functional foods and medicines [1].
The research focused on a critically endangered population of the species. In the Hwaaksan area of Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, only 15 분비나무 trees remain [1]. The scarcity of the species underscores the intersection of botanical conservation and medical innovation.
Thrombosis occurs when blood clots form within the vascular system, blocking blood flow to vital organs [3]. By leveraging the natural properties of this rare conifer, the research team aims to create a more potent alternative to current blood-thinning medications.
“The extract from the 분비나무 is more than twice as effective as aspirin at preventing the formation of blood clots.”
The identification of a high-potency antithrombotic agent in a nearly extinct species creates a race between pharmaceutical development and ecological loss. While the patent secures the chemical composition for future medicine, the survival of the source species is precarious, suggesting that synthetic replication of the compound will be necessary for any large-scale medical application.
