Guruprasad NB, Rajesh Dasaraju, Thejaswini M
ABSTRACT
Background: Thrombocytopenia or anemia are common in patients who are exposed to chemotherapy and irradiation. The aim of the study was to observe the effect of Carica papaya leaf extract on hydroxyurea induced hematological and biochemical parameters in a rat model.
Materials and Methods: Thirty rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 6). Carica papaya leaf extract (7.2 ml/kg) was given orally to normal as well as to rats administered with 1.6 mg/kg of hydroxyurea for a period of five days. Blood was withdrawn from retro-orbital plexus at various time intervals by inducing light anesthesia with ketamine (1ml/kg i.p) to determine the blood cell count and liver enzymes. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0.
Results: Platelet and RBC counts were significantly (p<0.05) increased in the group of rats administered with Carica papaya leaf extract (7.2 ml/kg p.o) alone for a period of five days, compared to that of normal controls. But there was only a compensatory rise in platelet and RBC counts in rats administered with Carica papaya leaf extract (7.2 ml/kg p.o) plus hydroxyurea (1.6 mg/kg p.o) for a period of five days. This could be due to the bone marrow suppression effect of hydroxyurea. However, WBC count, hematocrit (%), and SGPT values were not changed significantly (P ≥ 0.05) in any of the test groups, except in rats exposed to daily dose of hydroxyurea, where the changes were significant (p<0.05) on day 5.
Conclusion: Fresh Carica papaya leaf extract at a dose of 7.2 ml/kg restored normal blood cell counts in rats co-administered with hydroxyurea.
Keywords: Carica papaya L., blood cell count, hydroxyurea, bone marrow suppression