Anti-Sickling and Membrane Stabilizing Effects of Carica papaya Leaf Extract

Abstract

The antisickling and membrane stabilizing effect of aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaf was investigated. Fifty confirmed HbSS patients on routine clinical checkup were involved in this experiment after their consent has been obtained. 50 samples of HbSS blood were collected. The samples were divided into five groups, with ten (10) samples in each group. The samples in the different groups were treated with different concentration of the extract ranging from 2mg/ml to 10mg/ml. In group 1 the samples were treated with 2mg/ml concentration of Carica papaya leaf extract. In group 2 the samples were treated with 4mg/ml concentration of Carica papaya leaf extract. In group 3 the samples were treated with 6mg/ml concentration of Carica papaya leaf extract. Group 4 samples were treated with 8mg/ml concentration of Carica papaya leaf extract. While group 5 samples were treated with 10mg/ml concentration of Carica papaya leaf extract. For each sample three different tests were carried out (osmotic fragility, sickling test and reversal sickling test). For each test, two test tubes were set up; control without Carica papaya leaf extract and Experiment with Carica papaya leaf extract. Data obtained was analysed using Student’s T-test on SPSS software computer package. Results showed a dose dependent significant reduction (p<0.05) in sickling of Reb Blood Cell treated with different doses of the extract, also the extract show ability to reverse already sickled Red Blood Cells as there was significant reduction (p<0.05) in sickling of Red Blood Cells after treatment. There was also significant reduction (p<0.05) in osmotic fragility of Red Blood Cells treated with the extract. We therefore conclude that aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaf has anti-sickling effect which may be related to its direct action on HaemoglobinS and also its membrane stabilizing ability. This extract therefore may be a good candidate in Sickle Cell Disease therapy.