Effect of Carica papaya Linn. Unripe and Ripe Fruit Pulp Juice in Augmenting Platelet Count in Rats: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: Thrombocytopenia is often associated with diseases like dengue, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), malignancy, aplastic anaemia, drug induced thrombocytopenic purpura and haemolytic uremic syndrome. There are no effective methods to treat thrombocytopenia. Carica papaya (C. papaya) fruit pulp juice contains many constituents that can act on the bone marrow and enhance its ability to produce platelets. Aim: To evaluate the effects of fresh Carica papaya unripe and ripe fruit pulp juice on platelet count in cyclophosphamide induced thrombocytopenic rat model. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 male Albino Wistar rats were grouped into 'Control' (A), 'Drug control' (B), 'Papaya unripe fruit pulp' (C) and 'Papaya ripe fruit pulp' (D) groups. Thrombocytopenia was induced by three doses of cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg body weight) given subcutaneously to Groups B, C and D from day 1 to 3. Groups C and D received Carica papaya unripe and ripe fruit pulp juice orally from day 11 to 14 respectively. Platelet count, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and serum creatinine levels was measured on day 1, 10, 14 and 21. For comparison between groups, ‘unpaired t-test’ and within the group, paired t-test were used. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was significant increase in platelet count in Group C (6.27×105 /µL) and D (20.5×105 /µL) compared to drug control B (3.94×105 /µL) on day 14. Within the group, there was significant increase in platelet count in Group C and D on day 14 compared to day 10. Between the groups, Group D showed higher platelet increasing effect on thrombocytopenic rats. Conclusion: Carica papaya ripe and unripe fruit pulp juice has platelet enhancing effect. Further preclinical studies are required to identify those chemicals of C. papaya fruit responsible for boosting thrombopoiesis.

Keywords

• cyclophosphamide
• dengue
• thrombocytopenic model