Effect of Carica papaya Leaf Juice on Blood Cell Count of Busulfan-Induced Chronic Bone Marrow Aplasia in Mice

Introduction: Aplastic anemia is a syndrome of bone marrow failure comprising of peripheral pancytopenia and marrow hypoplasia. Recently, research has shown papaya leaf juice to increase blood cells counts. Aims & Objectives: This research was planned to investigate the effect of papaya leaf juice on blood cell counts in busulfan induced myelosuppressed mice. Place and duration of study: Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore from September 2015 to December 2015. Material &Methods: This animal experimental study comprised of 36 adult healthy Swiss albino mice weighing 30-35 g, divided randomly into three equal groups. Busulfan was given orally (14mg/kg) to induce myelosuppression to busulfan group and Carica papaya+ busulfan group on 8 occasions over a period of 23 days. Carica papaya leaf juice (10ml/kg) was given to the Carica papaya+ busulfan group daily for 23 days to observe its role in preventing myelosuppression. Normal group was given distilled water in an equivalent amount. One day after the final dose of busulfan and Carica papaya, the animals were sampled for blood cell counts. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. A p-value < 0.05 and below was considered as significant. Results: The Carica papaya leaf juice not only prevented significant fall in hemoglobin (10.86 ± 1.455 g/dl), RBC (9.54 ± 0.954× 106/mm3) and platelet count (958.92 ± 176.22 x103/mm3) vs (9.70 ± 0.904,11.24 ± 0.952 g/dl), RBC count (6.5025 ± 1.43,10.43 ± 0.234× 106/mm3) and platelet count (627.83 ± 151.63, 3881.08 ± 83.13 x103/mm3) in busulfan group but also kept them close to normal range. Total leukocyte count in C.papaya treated group improved significantly to 8116.67± 1540.85/mm3 vs (4516.67±789.51, 6666.67±798.10/mm3) busulfan treated and normal groups respectively. Conclusion: The Carica papaya leaf juice possesses significant myeloprotective activity. It may be a good candidate for prevention of chemotherapy induced pancytopenia