The Papaya-Based Poly-Herbal Extract Eases Thrombocytopenia and Pyrexia in Rats

Abstract

The beneficial role of papaya leaf juice against dengue infection is gaining popularity. However, most of these studies involve the fresh juice, decoction, or solvent extraction methods with limitations in terms of formulation development and retention of natural phytochemical balance. Hence, this study aimed at investigating the platelet-increasing and anti-pyretic effect of its powdered extracts with favorable attributes for developing finished pharmaceuticals. The former activity was performed on papaya leaves powder extract (PE) used to prepare the product, i.e., Re-Plat. However, both activities were assessed on the multi-ingredients extract (ME; composition was PE plus decoction of Achillea millefolium , Zingiber officinale , Phyllanthus niruri and Piper nigrum ) used in the poly herbal formulation i.e. Re-Plat Plus. Briefly, the Carboplatin (50 mg/kg) was used to develop a rat model of thrombocytopenia, which is followed by the administration of PE and ME (150, 300, and 450 mg/kg). After five days, the blood was collected to measure platelet levels using a hematology analyzer. In case of anti-pyretic activity, the yeast-induced pyrexia model was used to induce pyrexia followed by administration of ME (150, 300, and 450 mg/kg). The rectal temperature was noted for 5 h. Our data showed that, at the tested doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg, both PE and ME caused significant increase in the platelet count compared to the control group. In case of anti-pyretic activity, in similarity with standard drug (paracetamol), the PE (300 and 450 mg/kg) did not allow time-dependent increase in the temperature. Hence, it can be deduced that the active extracts of the poly-herbal formulation (Re-Plat Plus) are endowed with the platelet increase and anti-pyretic potentials; the attributed clinically useful in the management of dengue fever. Keywords: papaya, dengue, platelets, pyrexia, thrombocytopenia. https://doi.org/10.55463/issn.1674-2974.50.3.13