DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i08.010

Pages: 2774-2782

The aim of this study was to evaluate the platelet augmentation activity of the leaf extracts of Psidium guajava and to compare it with that of Carica papaya and to explore the possible use of Psidiumguajava in cases of thrombocytopenia, especially in dengue fever. Thrombocytopenia was induced in Albino Wistar rats using Cyclophosphamide 25mg/kg s.c. from Day 1-3. Aqueous extracts of the leaves of Psidium guajava and Carica papaya were administered p.o to the treatment groups from Days 1-15. Platelet counts of the rats belonging to all the groups were done on Days 1, 4, 7 and 11 and clotting time was measured on Day 15. The data was collected and analyzed using GraphPad Prism 5. Leaf extracts of both Psidium guajava and Carica papaya were found to increase platelet counts significantly following Cyclophosphamide induced thrombocytopenia. There was no significant difference in the platelet augmentation potential between leaf extracts of Psidium guajava and Carica papaya. The clotting time of the groups treated with both lower and higher doses of both extracts were found to be near normal. Our study suggests a potential role of leaf extracts of Psidium guajava in improving the platelet counts in various thrombocytopenic disorders including a role in ameliorating the haemorrhagic complications of dengue fever.