www.jahm.in (ISSN-2321-1563) CASE REPORT EFFECT OF PAPAYA LEAF JUICE ON PLATELET AND WBC COUNT IN DENGUE FEVER: A CASE REPORT
DEEPAK BSR1, GIRISH KJ,2 JADHAV LAKSHMIPRASAD L3
1Postgraduate Scholar, 2Professor, 3Associate Professor and Head, Department of Kayachikitsa, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara
College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Thanniruhalla, Hassan-573201, Karnataka, India.
Corresponding author email: [email protected]
Access this article online : www.jahm.in
Published by Atreya Ayurveda Publications, Ilkal-587125 (India) All rights reserved.
Received on: 22/05/2013, Revised on: 29/05/2013, Accepted on: 03/06/2013
Summary:
Dengue fever caused by dengue viruses (dengue 1–4) having Aedes aegypti mosquito as their principal
vector, causes symptoms such as sudden onset of fever, headache, retro-orbital pain and back pain
along with severe myalgia due to which dengue fever is also known as “break-bone fever.” Laboratory
findings include leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and in many cases, serum aminotransferase elevations.
dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS) may occur as a complication of
dengue fever.A pilot study and a randomized controlled trial showed that administration of papaya leaf
juice was beneficial in dengue patients in elevating the total white cell counts and platelet counts.
Based on this report, a dengue patient with thrombocytopenia and leukopenia was treated in a tertiary
Ayurveda hospital. The patient was administered papaya leaf juice in the dose of 25 ml twice daily
along with conventional line of management for a period of eight days. There was remarkable
improvement in the subjective symptoms and the white blood cell count and platelet count were
Keywords: Ayurveda, dengue fever, papaya leaf juice, platelet count, dengue hemorrhagic fever Introduction:
(tourniquet test, petechiae) or overt bleeding in the absence of underlying causes such as pre-
Dengue fever is caused by dengue viruses
existing gastrointestinal lesions. DSS, usually
(dengue 1–4) having Aedes aegypti mosquito as
accompanied by hemorrhagic signs, may result
their principal vector. After an incubation period
from increased vascular permeability leading to
of 2–7 days, the patient typically experiences the
sudden onset of fever, headache, retro-orbital
DHF/DSS, restlessness, lethargy, thrombo-
pain and back pain along with the severe
cytopenia and hemo-concentration are detected
myalgia due to which dengue fever is also
2–5 days after the onset of typical dengue fever,
known as “break-bone fever.” The illness may
usually at the time of defervescence.The
last a week, usually with additional symptoms
maculopapular rash that often develops in
like anorexia, nausea or vomiting. Laboratory
dengue fever may also appear in DHF/DSS. In
findings include leukopenia, thrombo-cytopenia
more severe cases, frank shock characterized by
and in many cases, serum aminotransferase
low pulse pressure, cyanosis, hepatomegaly,
elevations. The diagnosis is made by IgM
pleural effusions, ascites and in some cases,
ELISA; antigen-detection ELISA or RT-PCR
severe ecchymoses and gastrointestinal bleeding
during the acute phase; paired serology during
recovery. Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or Dengue shock syndrome (DSS) may occur as a
complication of dengue fever. DHF is identified
complimentary systems of medicine such as
Ayurveda for treatment of disorders such as
Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine |July, 2013 | Vol 1 | Issue 3
Deepak BSR, Girish KJ, Jadhav LL: Effect of papaya leaf juice in dengue fever: a case report
dengue for which specific treatment is not
ampoule IV twice daily; Injection gramocef-1g
available.2 In this regard, when the literature was
IV twice daily; tablet paracetamol 650mg-one
administration of papaya leaf juice proved to be
The next day, in addition to the above, papaya
beneficial in dengue patients in elevating the
leaf juice in the dose of 25ml was advised to be
total white cell counts, platelet counts and
taken twice daily. The papaya leaf juice was
prepared from washed tender leaves after
randomized controlled trial demonstrated that
deveining them and then grinding in a juice
the administration of papaya leaf juice in dengue
extractor with small quantity of water. This
fever and DHF is safe and induces rapid increase
regimen was followed upto seventh day of
in platelet count.10 One case, where the
administration of papaya leaf juice to a patient
On the eighth day, treatment was revised and the
of dengue fever in a tertiary Ayurveda hospital
patient was advised to take papaya leaf juice in
was found to be beneficial, is reported here.
the same dosage; syrup balaguduchyadi kashaya
Case history:
15 ml thrice daily after food with 15 ml water;
A 51 years old male patient reported to the
tablet samshamani vati-2 tablets thrice daily
Kayachikitsa outpatient department on 11th June
after food; tablet septilin-1 tablet thrice daily
2013, with history of fever associated with chills
after food. By 19th June, the patient recovered
and generalized body ache. On asking about the
well and was discharged with the same advice.
details of the same, he stated that he was alright
till the evening of 4th June 2013 after which he
haematological findings is presented in Table 1.
developed loss of appetite and nausea. The next
Table 1: Effect on clinical & laboratory
day he begot fever with chills, generalized body
parameters
ache and weakness. He took treatment from a
Complaints Platelet WBC Date and clinical
nearby doctor but found little relief. After 3 days
count count findings
he suffered from loose stools and an old pile
mass began to bleed during defecation. He had
bitter taste sensation in the mouth. He had past
medical history of jaundice at the age of 15 and
On examination, he was afebrile, had pulse rate
of 60/min with good volume and blood pressure
of 110/80 mm of Hg. Per abdomen examination
revealed tenderness in epigastrium. He was
investigations. He tested positive for dengue
NS1/IgG-IgM test. Routine blood examination
revealed leukopenia (white blood cell count-
(platelet count-56,000 cells/cmm). USG scan of
abdomen showed acalculous cholecystitis. The
same day he was admitted in the inpatient
department and the opinion of an allopathic
Treatment and results:
From the second day of admission,the patient
was advised IV fluids (ringers lactate) in
maintenance dose; Injection dexamethasone-1
Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine | July, 2013 | Vol 1 | Issue 3
Deepak BSR, Girish KJ, Jadhav LL: Effect of papaya leaf juice in dengue fever: a case report
Conclusion:
The administration of papaya leaf juice was
found to be beneficial in increasing the platelet
and white blood cell count in the case of dengue
reported. This fact is well established by various
(Sample were collected between 8-9am daily)
experimental studies and clinical trials cited
Discussion:
earlier. Hence it can be concluded that papaya
Dengue virus induces bone marrow suppression
leaf juice would definitely prove beneficial to
resulting in low platelet count. Anaemia and spontaneous severe bleeding are the other
consequences of bone marrow suppression.
effectiveness and easy availability of papaya
Dengue virus can bind to human platelets in
presence of virus specific antibody and cause
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Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine | July, 2013 | Vol 1 | Issue 3
Deepak BSR, Girish KJ, Jadhav LL: Effect of papaya leaf juice in dengue fever: a case report
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Cite this article as: Deepak BSR, Girish KJ, Jadhav LL.
Effect of papaya leaf juice on platelet and WBC count in
10. Subenthiran S, Choon TC, Cheong KC, Thayan R,
dengue fever: a case report. Journal of Ayurveda and
Teck MB, Muniandy PK et.al. Carica papaya leaves
juice significantly accelerates the rate of increase in
platelet count among patients with dengue fever and
Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None Declared
Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine | July, 2013 | Vol 1 | Issue 3
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