production, known as accelerated idiopathic or 1 Arzadon, Krizia Carla E., 1Chan, Nicole Lynn Kimberly S.

, 1Cuaresma, Ana Dominique A., platelet 1Carigma, Andrea Q. immune 1 1 Lim, Kathleen Anne N., Tanjueco, Heidi Rose C., destruction, and thrombocytopenic abnormal platelet purpura (ITP) distribution. (URL2). In the Abstract (Rodak et al., Philippines, Thrombocytopenia is a condition associated 2007) thrombocytopenia with a number of diseases and disorders in which Mucocutaneous is commonly there is an abnormally low amount of platelets in the bleeding is the associated with blood. Increasing the platelet count as supportive most frequent Dengue therapy can prevent further complications brought about by thrombocytopenia. The present study manifestation of Hemorrhagic examined the decoction of Ipomoea batatas for its thrombocytopenia Fever where potential to increase the platelet count of Sprague. patients suffer Dawley rats. Leaves of Ipomoea batatas were Thrombocytopeni from hemorrhage. collected and extracted using decoction method. This a is commonly When adequately extract was orally-administered to test for its plateletincreasing activity in thrombocytopenic Spragueencountered with treated, the Dawley rats at doses of 100-, 200-, 400-, 800- and patients mortality rate for 1600mg/kg. Thrombocytopenia was induced by undergoing DHF can be as orally administering 300mg/kg BW quinine sulfate chemotherapeutic low as 1%, but if for two days. Complete blood counts were done after regimens and untreated, it can the induction of thrombocytopenia and after the treatment with the decoction for 2 weeks. Normal patients with exceed 20% (Teo saline solution and prednisolone were used as chronic liver et al 2008). negative and positive controls, respectively. One Way disease, acquired Analysis of Variance showed a significant increase in immunodeficiency Identifying the the number of platelets and WBC between the groups syndrome (AIDS), underlying cause given different doses of the extract against both positive and negative control groups. (p<0.05). The with viral disease is the foremost number of RBC did not show any significant such as dengue way to correct difference (p>0.05). This is furthermore supported by hemorrhagic fever thrombocytopenia data obtained from 95.0% Tukeys HSD test. Values (DHF) or even . Increasing the were outside the range limits for the platelet and during pregnancy platelet count as WBC while the values were all within range limits for the RBC. The decoction of Ipomoea batatas (McCrae, 2006). supportive therapy possesses platelet-increasing activity. The increase in Bleeding diathesis can prevent the number of platelets was not consistent with the can result from further increments of dosage. thrombocytopenia complications as well. brought about by Keywords: thrombocytopenia, platelets, thrombocytopenia decoction In the United . Mild 1. Introduction States, an thrombocytopenia estimated may not require Thrombocytopeni <150,000/L) 100,000-150,000 treatment as this a is a condition in (URL1). The individuals per may resolve on its which there is an primary year, including ten own whereas abnormally low pathophysiologic percent of people treatment of amount of processes that affected with HIV, severe platelets in the result in are affected by a thrombocytopenia blood (platelet thrombocytopenia type of may involve count are decreased

Effects of Orally- Administered Decoction of Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) Leaves on Thrombocytopenic Sprague-Dawley Rats thrombocytopenia platelet

several options. Corticosteroids or intravenous immunoglobulin may be given for suspected immune thrombocytopenia or if the patient is severely thrombocytopenic and there is evidence of bleeding, platelet transfusion can be done (URL3). A study done by Osime et al on the effect of Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) indicates that the leaves can cause a significant increase in the platelet count of rabbits. Another study was conducted by Udem and Asogwa on the effect of Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) leaves on the hematological parameters of albino mice but platelet count was not identified. Moreover, there have been anecdotal stories that Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) serve as supportive therapy in those infected

with DHF by increasing the platelet count. 2.Methodology 2.1 Preparation of the extract Ipomoea batatas(Convolvu laceae)leaves were collected in Manila and were submitted to the National Museum for authentication. A weight of 100 grams of fresh Ipomoea batatas(Convolvu laceae)leaves was boiled with 100 mL distilled water for 20 minutes. The decoction was then filtered using a filter paper to obtain a green color liquid sample with a concentration of 998 mg/mL. 2.2 Test animals The animals used in the experiment were SpragueDawley rats. They were bought in the University of the PhilippinesManila. The weights of the rats ranged from 50-70 grams and were 57 weeks old. The rats were

acclimatized for 7 days in the Thomas Aquinas Research Center (TARC) Animal Facility. A total of 7 groups consisting of 6 rats (3 males and 3 females) each were used for the experiment. The animals were caged according to sex and the dose that was administered to them. One cage contained 6 rats. Pellets and distilled water from a reputable source were freely given to the animals. The bedding was changed as frequently as needed. Artificial lighting was used to expose them to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. 2.3 Induction of Thrombocytopeni a Pure quinine sulfate was used to induce thrombocytopenia in the SpragueDawley rats. The oral quinine solution was prepared by

diluting 2g of quinine sulfate powder with 20 mL of 50% ethanol to obtain a concentration of 100mg/mL. The animals were given an oral dose of 300mg/kg BW quinine once a day for 2 days to induce thrombocytopenia . Blood extractions were done on the test animals to determine the baseline hematological values. 2.4 Determination of Pharmacologic Effect on Platelets Five groups were given the decoction with doses 100-, 200-, 400-, 800- and 1600mg/kg BW were orally administered once a day for 14 days. Blood extractions were done to determine the presence of significant effects brought about by the decoction on the hematological parameters of the Sprague-Dawley rats.

The positive control used was an oral preparation of prednisolone. Prednisolone weighing 167g was dissolved 5 mL of NSS to obtain a concentration of 33g/mL. A dose of 1mg/kg BW was administered once daily for 14 days. The negative control used was normal saline solution (NSS). A volume of 0.2 mL was administered orally once daily for 14 days. 2.5 Blood Extraction from the SpragueDawley Rats Tail incision method was employed in order to withdraw blood from the SpragueDawley rats. The tail of the rat was dipped in warm water and disinfected using rubbing alcohol. Less than 1cm from the tip of the tail, an incision was done using a sterile surgical

pair of scissors. A volume of 0.5mL of blood was collected The blood samples were brought to United Diagnostic Laboratory for CBC with platelet count using Coulter counter machine. 2.6 Statistical Analysis One-way ANOVA using Tukeys HSD as post hoc was used to compare the increase in platelet count between the negative control, extract and positive control. 3.Results and Discussion The mean platelet counts before and after oral administration of the decoction of Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) at different doses were compared to the negative and positive control. Normal saline solution (NSS) served as the negative control while prednisolone

When the results from the different doses were compared to that Figure 1: Mean Change in Platelet Counts Before and After Oral positive Administration of Five Different Doses of the the of Decoction of Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae), Negative Control and Positive Control control, there was no significant difference. This The platelet count shows that the values, subjected extract affected to One Way the number of Analysis of platelets in the Variance, showed experimental a significant annimals. This change before and conformed with after the study done by administration of Osime et al (2008) the decoction in that there is an (p<0.008). Post increase in the hoc Tukey HSD number of was done in order platelets by the to identify where Ipomoea batatas the significant (Convolvulaceae) difference in decoction. between methods was present. The The mean RBC Tukey HSD test counts before and has a limit of +/after oral 412.805. The administration of treatment groups Ipomoea batatas given different (Convolvulaceae) doses showed a at different doses significant were compared to difference with the negative and the group given positive control. the negative control, normal saline solution (NSS). The negative control group and positive The RBC count control group also values, subjected showed a to One Way significant Analysis of difference upon Variance, showed comparison to no significant each other. change before and after
Figure 2: Mean Change in RBC Counts Before and After Administration of Five Doses of Decoction of Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae), Negative Control and Positive Control

served as the positive control.

administration of the decoction (p=0.555). Post hoc Tukey HSD was done in order to identify where the significant difference in between methods was present. The Tukey HSD test has a limit of +/1.446. The treatments of different doses of extract showed no significant difference with the negative control and positive control. As seen in Figure 4.4, the dose of 400 mg/mL showed the greatest increase in RBC count but this increase is of no statistical significance. The results conforms with the results in the study done by Udem et al (2010) as the number RBC did not show a significant increase. The mean WBC counts before and after oral administration of the decoction of Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) at different doses were compared to

period of 14 days may cause leukocytosis. Similarly, a review done by Mintzer et al (2009) showed that glucocorticoste The WBC roids cause count values, neutrophilia by subjected to inducing the One Way release of Analysis of neutrophils Variance, from the bone showed a marrow. Since significant neutrophils Figure 3: Mean Change in WBC Count Before and After Oral change of Five Different Doses of the Decoction of Ipomoea before constitute Administration batatas (Convolvulaceae), Negative Control and Positive Control and after majority of the administration WBC, an of the increase in decoction (p= neutrophil 0.0334). As count may lead seen from to an increase Figure 3, the in WBC. Post treatment that hoc Tukey had the greatest HSD was done increase in to identify WBC was the where the positive significant control, difference is prednisolone present. The despite being Tukey HSD known for its test had a limit immunosuppres of +/- 9.723 sive action. The This revealed same response that there was a was noted in a significant study done by difference Shoenfeld et al between (1981) which prednisolone revealed that and the small doses of negative prednisolone, control, NSS. when administered over a prolonged 4. Conclusion

the negative and positive control.

The mean platelet and WBC counts of the SpragueDawley rats increased with the oral administration of the Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) decoction. The increase in platelet and WBC counts was not correlated with the dosing increments. The effect of the decoction on the increase in number of platelets is comparable to that seen in the positive control. Generally, the decoction of Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) possesses both platelet and WBCincreasing properties. This study provides a scientific rationale for the use of Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) decoction in increasing the platelet count for the supportive therapy of thrombocytopenia . Acknowledgeme

nt References