IS JUICE FROM PAPAYA LEAVES A CURE FOR DENGUE?

By Chandravathani Sathasivam

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- There has been a lot written about papaya
leaves and pegaga (Centella asiatica) juice that seems to lend itself to being a
possible cure for dengue fever.

It has been reported that many people consume papaya leaves or pegaga juice
to increase their platelet count when they have contracted dengue fever.

A recent study, conducted by a group of researchers from local and foreign
universities, found that papaya leaves (Carica papaya) are a possible cure for
dengue fever.

The study, initiated and led by Dr S.Kathiresan of AIMST University,
indicated that the powder from papaya leaves has substances responsible for the
release and/or production of thrombocytes (platelets).

Dr S.Kathiresan said leaves of papaya fruit were high in complex vitamins
that might help bone marrow to rapidly increase blood platelet production.

"Dengue fever continues to be a major health threat to Malaysia after its
first reported outbreak in 1902. The acute illness is caused by a family of
viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes and the mosquito acts as a carrier of
the dengue virus.

"The virus's main effect is on platelet production. Normally, a platelet in
our body lasts for about five to 10 days and the body replenishes them when
required," he told Bernama during a recent interview.

"This virus destroys the body's capacity to produce new platelets (during
the period the virus is effective). The platelet count for a normal person
varies from 150,000 to 250,000 per ìl (micro litre = mm3 or cubic millimetres)
of blood.

"On becoming infected, a patient's platelet count starts falling. A platelet
count below 100,000 per ìl (mm3) is alarming - immediate medical attention is
required. A platelet count below 50,000 can be fatal," he added.

A fall in the platelet count prevents formation of clots and this leads to
hemorrhaging, which results in both internal and external bleeding. Once such
bleeding starts, the situation is almost irreversible, he said.

Dr Kathiresan noted that interest in the papaya began with a simple
experiment with Carica papaya leaves being collected and washed several times
with tap water to remove dirt. The leaves were then ground into powder in palm
oil and 15 milligrams were administered to five mice, following which their
platelet (thrombocyte) counts were studied.

The platelet counts before, and 72 hours after dosing, revealed they were
significantly higher, indicating an increase in white blood cells and platelets
which normalises clotting and repairs the liver, he said.

With these positive results, Dr Kathiresan said: "This therapeutic potential
cure is being investigated by isolating and identifying the active ingredients
to create a suitable formula responsible for the release and/or production of
the thrombocytes (platelets)".

The six-month study, titled "Thrombocyte counts in mice after the
administration of papaya leaf suspension," published in October 2009, was funded
by AIMST University and Universiti Sains Malaysia. Dr Kathiresan was assisted in
the study by Dr Surash Ramanathan, Dr Sharif M. Mansor and Dr Mas Rosemal M.H.
Haris of Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, and Walther H. Wernsdorfer of
Medical University of Vienna, Austria.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are an estimated 2.5
billion people -- two fifths of the world's population -- who are at risk from
dengue, with as many as 50 million dengue infections worldwide each year.