Evaluation of Caripill^™ as a component of platelet storage solution

ABSTRACT

Background

Carica papaya Linn. has high nutraceutical and pharmacological values. The leaves possess antimicrobial, anti-tumor and antioxidant properties. They are used to treat thrombocytopenia during dengue fever and the leaf extract is commercially available as tablets under the name Caripill^™ (MicroLabs, Bengaluru). Nevertheless, platelet transfusion is recommended in severe cases of thrombocytopenia, but the platelet storage is limited to 5-7 days at 22−24 °C. Reducing oxidative stress (OS) during platelet storage might help in prolonging the shelf-life, since the OS is known to cause platelet storage lesion. Hence, this study investigated the effects of Caripill^™ as an additive in Tyrode's buffer during extended platelet storage.

Methods

Platelets isolated from 4 months old male Wistar rats were stored with Caripill^™ (50 and 100 µg/ml) at 22 °C for 12 days. Platelet functional and metabolic markers and various OS markers were analyzed on days 0, 4, 8 and 12.

Results

Caripill^™ (50 and 100 µg/ml) maintained platelet functions and lactate dehydrogenase, elevated nitrites, reduced glucose consumption, protected proteins and up-regulated the antioxidant enzymes. However, the CP100 up-regulated catalase from day 4, elevated nitrites from day 8, prevented the formation of secondary products of lipid peroxidation and increased the total antioxidant capacity on day 4.

Conclusions

Caripill^™ reduced platelet storage lesion up to day 8 of storage. Results suggest that a higher concentration of Caripill^™ was more effective in combating the oxidative damage during platelet storage. This study throws light on the beneficial effects of Caripill^™ in combating oxidative stress during platelet storage.

Keywords
Caripill^™; Carica papaya; Platelets; Storage; Oxidative stress