CHENNAI: Micro Labs Limited, a Bengaluru-based pharmaceutical company, on Wednesday launched Caripill, made from carica papaya leaf extracts, to help increase platelet count in patients suffering from dengue .

Approved by the scientific and regulatory authority, the pill does not have any side-effects. While the conventional treatment involves platelet transfusion, a Caripill of 1100mg can be taken three times a day, for five days. Each pill costs Rs 25.

Dengue fever virus, which are in five different strains transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquito, can destruct platelets in the blood and can lead to bleeding.

Over 2,000 dengue cases were reported in Tamil Nadu this year.

Taking at the launch here, senior medical advisor of Micro Labs Dr Prabhu said people made papaya leaf extract at home to treat dengue. However, the quantity of consumption varies and so its preparation. “At home, it is a crude form of consumption. But if it is not hygienically prepared, it can lead to diarrhea. The dosage is not the same and it is also not palatable,” he said.

Studies across the globe have shown consumption of papaya leaf extract to have positive effect on the platelet count, the medical advisor said.

Senior vice-president P Jawahar Babu said they conducted a pilot study on 30 patients where they were each given three pills for five days and got encouraging results. “We are now conducting an extensive study with 250 patients,” he said.

While the pill is available in the market, Micro Labs will soon launch a syrup for children, aged above six.

