Comparison of the Anticoagulant Property of Freshly-Collected and Powderized Latex of the Unripe Fruit of Carica Papaya

Abstract

Studies claim that Carica papaya latex (CPL) has anticoagulant and antiplatelet properties as opposed to it being known in natural medicine to promote wound healing. In this experimental-intervention study, the researchers intended to ascertain only the anticoagulant property of CPL. The researchers used incidental sampling in obtaining fruit latex from accessible Carica papaya trees; as well as in drawing blood from 30 random people around the campus, mostly students. Informed consent was distributed and signed by the participants and the study was approved by the university’s research ethics committee. CPL was used in two different preparations; first, in a freshly-collected form, second in its powderized form. The samples were tested for its Prothrombin Time (PT) and for its Activated Partial Prothrombin Time (aPTT). The samples were run three times; to get the normal parameters first, and then each for both the preparations mentioned a forehand. The PT and aPTT are significantly prolonged (p = <0.05) in the powderized form of CPL, having values of 15.71 and 33.74 seconds respectively compared to the control results of 12. 32 and 28.14 seconds respectively. Whereas, the freshly-collected CPL significantly decreased (p = <0.05) the clotting time for both tests, having results of 1.96 and 9.01 seconds, respectively. This study showed that only the powderized preparation of CPL has anticoagulant properties. Thus, the powderized form of CPL can be utilized through further studies as a potential principal component of drugs used to address coagulation disorders and/or those in under anticoagulant therapy.