Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 12, 2025 2 hours, 52 minutes ago
Medical News: Dengue fever remains a pressing global health issue, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. It affects over 390 million people annually across more than 100 countries. Despite various control measures, such as vaccines and mosquito population management, there are still no specific antiviral treatments available for this disease. This ongoing challenge has led scientists to explore alternative remedies, one of which is the use of Carica papaya leaf extract. While Carica papaya leaf extract has been used in traditional medicine in many Asian countries and also in South America, it has not been studied form a scientific perspective in detail.
Carica Papaya Leaf Extract for Dengue Treatment
In this
Medical News report, we delve into how Carica papaya leaves have gained attention as a potential treatment for dengue fever. Traditional medicine practices in South Asian countries, including India and Malaysia, have long utilized papaya leaf extracts to manage dengue symptoms. This latest study review was conducted by scientists from institutions such as the ABEx Bio-Research Center in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Bangladesh Agricultural University.
Understanding Dengue Fever and Its Challenges
Dengue fever is caused by four distinct viruses (DENV1 to DENV4) transmitted through Aedes mosquito bites. While most cases are mild, severe forms such as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) can lead to life-threatening complications, including thrombocytopenia (a dangerous drop in platelet counts). Currently, there is no antiviral treatment for dengue, making it critical to explore alternative solutions to alleviate symptoms and reduce the disease's severity.
Carica papaya has been identified as a plant with multiple medicinal properties. Its leaves, in particular, contain compounds like carpaine, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, which are believed to increase platelet counts and inhibit viral replication. The ability of these compounds to address key symptoms of dengue has spurred extensive research into their efficacy.
Key Findings on Carica Papaya Leaf Extract
Numerous studies have revealed several beneficial effects of Carica papaya leaf extract on dengue patients:
-Increased Platelet Counts: Studies conducted on animal models and human clinical trials have shown that papaya leaf extract significantly increases platelet production. In one trial involving 285 children, those who received papaya leaf syrup experienced an average platelet count increase from 89,739 to 168,923 within five days.
-Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties: Carica papaya is rich in compounds like chlorogenic acid and quercetin, which reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. These properties help mitigate the cytokine storms often associated with severe dengue cases.
-Inhibition of Viral Replication: Papaya leaf extract contains phenolic compou
nds that have demonstrated the ability to inhibit the replication of dengue viruses. Laboratory tests confirmed that compounds such as protocatechuic acid directly target viral proteins, reducing their ability to multiply.
-Support for Immune Function: The extract has been shown to enhance immune responses by increasing the production of white blood cells (WBCs) and red blood cells (RBCs). This bolsters the body's ability to combat infections.
Clinical Trials and Real-world Applications
Multiple clinical trials have supported the efficacy of Carica papaya leaf extract. A notable study involved 51 dengue patients who consumed papaya leaf tablets for five days. These patients experienced a faster recovery in platelet counts compared to those who did not use the treatment. Another trial, which administered papaya leaf juice to 228 participants, reported significant improvements in platelet counts within 48 hours.
Additionally, case studies have shown that aqueous extracts of papaya leaves effectively increased platelet counts in individual patients. For instance, a dengue patient’s platelet count rose from 55,000 to 168,000 after five days of consuming 25 mL of papaya leaf extract twice daily.
Limitations and Future Research
Despite these promising findings, the use of Carica papaya leaf extract is not without challenges. Some of the key limitations include:
-
Standardization: The exact composition and potency of papaya leaf extracts can vary, making it difficult to standardize dosages for clinical use.
-Safety Concerns: Although generally safe for short-term use, potential side effects such as allergic reactions and interactions with medications need further investigation.
-Lack of Comprehensive Clinical Trials: More extensive and diverse clinical trials are required to validate the extract’s effectiveness and safety across different populations.
Future research aims to address these gaps by exploring advanced methods to standardize extracts and conducting long-term studies to evaluate safety and efficacy.
Conclusions
The growing body of evidence suggests that Carica papaya leaf extract could serve as a natural, cost-effective treatment for dengue fever. Its ability to boost platelet counts, reduce inflammation, and inhibit viral replication makes it a promising candidate for further research and development. By integrating this traditional remedy with modern medical practices, healthcare providers can offer an alternative solution to millions affected by dengue each year.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Immuno.
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5601/4/4/37
For the latest Dengue News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/texas-study-finds-that-herbal-remedies-show-promise-in-managing-immune-thrombocytopenia
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/papaya-leaves-extract-and-fruit-pulp-emerging-as-a-broad-spectrum-antiviral
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/singapore-led-study-finds-papaya-leaf-extract-effective-against-coronaviruses-and-inflammation
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/thailand-medical-thailand-s-deputy-prime-minister-attacked-for-claims-that-drinking-tea-made-from-papaya-leaves-cures-cancer
Share
Tweet
Share
