Dengue Fever: Is Papaya Leaf Extract Effective for Platelet Count?

Papaya Leaf extract has been reported to revert low platelet counts in dengue fever but there is a lack of clearer clinical evidence supporting it as a natural remedy.

Highlights:

The use of papaya leaves as a natural cure for dengue has received much interest in the recent outbreak
Due to the presence of several active components, papaya leaves may increase platelet count in dengue
However, the role of papaya leaves cannot be scientifically substantiated based on a few positive preliminary reports

With the start of the monsoon, the risk of dengue increases, and people begin to look for home remedies. The most sought home remedy people trust to boost the dipping platelet count in dengue fever is papaya leaf extract.

However, papaya leaf juice is not the actual medication for dengue treatment. Still this debatable topic more clarification. This article, let us know everything about using papaya leaves for dengue fever.

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‘The popular home remedy for dengue fever, papaya leaf extract, which increases platelet count, still needs expert opinion before use. #Dengue #Papaya leaf extract #Platelet count’

Dengue fever is a viral disease spread by the bite of mosquitoes. It is estimated that approximately 390 million dengue virus infections occur per year throughout the world. Most people with dengue have mild or no symptoms ().

The common symptoms are high fever (40°C/104°F), severe headache, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, and skin rash. One of the panicking things that happens in dengue is the dipping platelet count, which impairs the ability of the blood to clot and makes it unable to combat infections.

Does Papaya Leaf Really Increase Platelet Count in Dengue Fever?

Papaya is a tropical fruit, that is enriched with vitamin C, minerals, and antioxidants. This helps to offer numerous health benefits. It also contains a special enzyme called papain possessing anti-inflammatory properties that have the potential to reduce symptoms severity for speedy recovery.

Furthermore, papaya leaf extract contains cystatin, L-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, cyanogenic glucosides, and glucosinolates, which help in increasing platelet production. This helps maintain a stable platelet count during dengue fever. In addition to dengue fever, papaya leaves are beneficial in other immune conditions where the platelet count falls below 10000.

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A meta-analysis including nine studies conducted in 2019 found that there was no clear link between papaya leaf extract and platelet count. In this, seven studies showed an increase in platelet count in patients receiving papaya leaf extract ().

While one study showed there is no significant difference between the control and patients receiving papaya leaf extract. A direct comparison was not possible in the remaining study. Despite these small-scale studies, dengue is mostly a self-limiting disease, and platelet levels often increase spontaneously during recovery.

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Hence, the role of papaya leaves in dengue fever cannot be scientifically substantiated based on a few reports. Since the current evidence favoring clinical outcome is unclear, it is advisable to consume papaya leaf extract after consulting your doctor ().

Herbal products are assumed to be safe because they are natural, but this assumption cannot be valued more than mere conventional wisdom. This article calls out the research community to generate evidence so that any potential benefits are not discredited. The science must provide evidence to dispel myths and focus efforts on evidence-based management of dengue.

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References:

Dengue virus: epidemiology, biology, and disease aetiology - (https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/cjm-2020-0572)
Efficacy & safety of Carica papaya leaf extract (CPLE) in severe thrombocytopenia (≤30,000/μl) in adult dengue – Results of a pilot study - (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0228699)
Carica papaya Leaf Juice for Dengue: A Scoping Review - (https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/8/1584)

Source-Medindia