Article ID: AEN-2020-01-03-010

Have All Fruits in Diet with Curative Properties during Dengue Fever Treatment

Vijaysinha Kakade1*, Gaurav Singh2, D. Dinesh2, V.C. Pande2, Dinesh Jinger2 and P.R. Bhatnagar3
1
ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati, Maharashtra
2
ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, RC-Vasad, Anand, Gujarat
3
ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana
*Corresponding author. E-mail: vijaykakade.7@gmail.com

Now a days ‘viral disease’ is very profoundly heard in society that is fatal in most of the
cases, indicates its severity and quantum of peoples infected with the viral diseases. Dengue is one
the major viral disease caused by a virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family and there are 4 distinct
but closely related serotypes of the virus that cause dengue and these are DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and
DEN-4. Dengue is normally found in tropical and subtropical climates worldwide. Dengue fever
affects infants, young and adults. Dengue is one of the major viral diseases transmitted by mosquito.
Dengue virus is mainly transmitted by female mosquitoes of Aedes aegypti species and very
rarely by Aedes albopictus, thus former is primary vector of this viral disease. This mosquito also
found responsible for transmitting diseases like chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika infection. The
dengue virus is transmitted from infected person to the healthy person through bite of virus carrying
female mosquito. Once the mosquito is infected, it carries virus for its rest of life. Aedes aegypti
mosquito lives in urban habitats and man-made containers. This mosquito is day time feeder and
with peak in morning and evening before twilight.

Characteristics of Dengue fever:

Dengue fever affects infants, young and adults. The fever generally causes the platelets and blood
pressure to fall (but not in all cases). The following symptoms observed when the person is infected
with dengue virus. Dengue should be suspected when a high fever (40º C/104º F) accompanied with
two of the following symptoms;
1. Severe headache
2. Pain behind the eyes
3. Muscle and joint pains
4. Nausea
5. Vomiting
6. Mild pain in throat/sour throat
7. Swollen glands or rash
8. Extreme weakness
In severe cases, plasma leaking, fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, severe bleeding, or
organ impairment types of symptoms are observed. Warning signs occur 3–7 days after the first
symptoms in conjunction with a decrease in temperature (below 38°C/100°F) and include: severe
abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, fatigue, restlessness and blood
in vomit. The next 24–48 hours of the critical stage can be lethal; proper medical care is needed to
avoid complications and risk of death.

Remedies for Dengue viral disease:

There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. Person suffering from dengue should consult
doctor immediately if symptoms of dengue fever observed. Maintenance of body fluid or water
volume is critical during dengue fever treatment. Body water content ranges from about 75 percent

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of body mass in infants to about 50–60 percent in adult men and women, to as low as 45 percent in
old age. Appropriate treatment from doctor along with proper diet enriched with fruits and
vegetables rich of fluid, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants is the best solution to cure the dengue
fever. But there is thought in common peoples mind that some fruit alone can cure dengue or other
fevers directly.

People’s perceptions about direct role of some fruits/other remedies in curing dengue:
Besides medicinal treatment (modern medicines), peoples are also looking for natural or
ayurvedic treatments or measures also which helps in cure of Dengue fever. There are some peoples
who believe that some natural remedies (some of them listed below) are there which cures dengue
fever are;
1. Use of papaya leaf juice
2. Consumption of fruits e.g. Kiwi fruit and Dragon fruit
3. Take coconut water, giloye extract, aloe vera, etc.
4. Take goat milk
While some says that these might be just myth and by taking only these, cannot cure the
dengue disease. This may be true, but certainly fruit supplement may provide enough energy and
support to body to fight against all fatigue and ill effects due to viral infection. These commodities
play supportive role in curing dengue fever.
Doctors perceptions:
One group of doctors (especially allopathic and homeopathic doctors) are saying taking only
Kiwi fruit or Dragon fruit or leaf juice of papaya fruit cannot cure the dengue, these are just playing
supporting role to the treatments. The fruits keep patient hydrated and these fruits help in boosting
immunity of the patient. The doctors are further saying having huge amount of kiwi by a dengue
infected patient can cause sour throat problem. This group of doctors believes in fruits helps in
speedy recovery of the patient and they only aid in the treatment. However, other group of doctors
who believe in Ayurveda says natural remedies (those which are meant for curing dengue fever) can
able to cure dengue fever and some from this group are saying natural remedies helps in increasing
platelets counts and boosting immunity of the patient.
Fruits perceived to be important for dengue and other fever: their composition
There are some fruit based natural remedies in vogue or these fruits consumed more during
dengue fever are papaya and its leaf juice, kiwi fruit, dragon fruit etc. So now we will see
composition of these fruits as discussed below.
1. The papaya leaf juice and fruit pulp is being taken by the peoples during viral infections. The
leaves of papaya have been used in folk medicine for centuries. Papaya contains some
biologically active compounds such as papain, caricain, chymopapain, etc. which are also helpful
in wide disorders. Modern studies have shown its beneficial effect as an anti-inflammatory agent,
for its wound healing properties, anti-tumor as well as immune modulatory effects and as an
antioxidant. However, care should be taken while having unripe or semi ripe papaya during
pregnancy, but consumption of ripe fruits during pregnancy has no risk. The leaves of papaya are
rich source of vitamins and minerals, some of them are mentioned here (Table 1).

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 Table 1: Nutrional composition of Papaya leaves
Vitamins Minerals
vitamin C: 25-38 mg Calcium: 260-366 mg
β-carotene: 655-666 IU Magnesium: 29-37 mg
B complex vitamins Iron: 5.90-6.30 mg

2. The kiwi fruit is an exotic fruit originated in china. It is largely grown in hilly
area of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya and Kerala
etc.in India. The kiwi fruit is advised to take during dengue fever. Kiwi fruit is also very good
source of vitamins and minerals (Table 2). Other minerals such as sodium, zinc, copper, selenium
etc. also found in Kiwi fruit.
Table 2: Nutrional composition of Kiwi fruit (green)
Vitamins Minerals
vitamin C: 92 mg Potassium (312 mg)
vitamin A (87 IU) Phosphorus (34 mg)
vitamin E (1.46 mg) Magnesium (17 mg)
(Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Std. Ref. Release 28, green and gold
raw kiwifruit per 100g)
In addition to above, total polyphenols and antioxidants in kiwi fruit are 267 mg GAE (Gallic
acid equivalent) and 882 µmol of TE (Trolox equivalent). Kiwi fruit contains an enzyme
‘actinidin’ similar to papain in papaya which help in breakdown of protein.
3. Dragon fruit is recently introduced fruit in India and is being taken in cultivation in different
parts of the country such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Gujarat etc.
Presently it is being grown in Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Gujarat, Rajasthan, etc.
Dragon fruit is rich source of several vitamins and minerals (Table 3).
Table 3: Nutrional composition of Dragon fruit
Vitamins Minerals
vitamin C (25 mg) Calcium (6 mg)
vitamin A (in small quantity) Phosphorus (19 mg)
Iron (0.4 mg)
(Source: ICBF, 1992; Morton,, 1987)
In addition to these, Dragon fruit is also rich source of antioxidants such as polyphenols,
betacynins and flavonoids such as kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin etc. which possess
antioxidants properties.
Studies on involvement of papaya, kiwi fruit and dragon fruit in curing dengue fever:
While search we found few studies showing efficiency of papaya in dengue fever treatment
and it says that;
1. Papaya seed was toxic to the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is a vector for the etiologic agents of
both yellow and dengue fever (Nunes and co-workers, 2013).
2. Another study indicated in-vitro models; papaya leaves demonstrated significant inhibition of
hemolysis (Ranasinghe and co-workers, 2012).
3. A study in mice revealed significant increase in thrombocyte counts compared to the controls
(Sathasivam and co-workers, 2009).
4. Subenthiran and co-workers (2013) reported papaya leaf juice significantly increased platelets in
patients of dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever. Fresh juice of papaya leaves was given to
patients after having the breakfast for 3 days and rapid production of platelets was observed in
the infected patient compared to the patient who did not received leaf juice.

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5. A study of Ahmed and co-workers (2011) reported increase in platelet counts, WBCs, and
Neutrophils and improvement in patients’ health after treatment of dengue patient with papaya
leaf extract (25 ml) for 5 days.
In above studies, dose of the leaf juice and number of days for leaf juice given to the patient
is found varied i.e. 25ml or juice extracted from 50 g of leaf; the reasons for this may be due to age,
immunity of the patient and condition of the patient. However, all the authors are saying that these
studies seeking further studies for more clarification as well as for acceptance without oppose.
Whereas, scientific studies on dragon fruit and kiwi fruit in relation with the dengue fever treatment
are lacking in literature but few studies have shown efficiency of kiwi fruit in reducing platelets
aggregation. Therefore, substantive evidence are still lacking in curing dengue fever with these fruits
and hence further there is a need to conduct more studies on these reports to confirm.
Thus, above discussed fruits (papaya, kiwi and dragon fruit) are of course very rich source of
different vitamins and minerals and health benefitting compounds which might play important role in
revitalizing health during dengue fever infections by keeping body hydrated (increasing water in
body due presence of moisture in fruits), increasing platelets counts and boosting immunity overall.
However, only these fruits will cure dengue fever is still questionable. If above fruits with their
nutrional composition can cure dengue fever or support to cure dengue fever then there are plenty of
other fruits which are available in the market with more or less similar nutrional composition which
can help in hydrating the body, increasing the platelets counts and boosting the immunity of the body
(discussed in later paragraphs). Further, studies showing significant contribution of particular
compound which is present only in papaya, kiwi fruit or dragon fruit and having inhibitory action
against dengue virus are not reported and comparative studies of these fruits (papaya, kiwi fruit or
dragon fruit mainly) with other fruits are also lacking. Hence, without confirmative reports no
conclusion can be drawn.

How fruits play supportive role in natural remedies of dengue:

In general, fruits are rich source of vitamins and minerals and antioxidants. All the fruits
provide one or other vitamin or mineral. Thus fruits keep persons healthy and protects from various
diseases by enhancing the immunity of body against various diseases as fruits are rich source of
phytochemicals (biologically active chemicals e.g. antioxidants) too. Further, fruits can supply ample
amount of water thus it keeps body hydrated which is very much necessary during dengue fever
treatment. Fruits which are rich source of vitamins like vitamin A, C, D, K, B-9, B-12, minerals like
Iron, and antioxidants, etc. help in increasing platelets count. Therefore, fruits should be an important
part of the diet. The other fruits which are having rich nutrional composition and health benefits are
described below.

Other fruits having good antioxidant properties and vitamins and minerals:
If the fruits (e.g. papaya, kiwi fruit, dragon fruit mainly) help in curing viral disease
(especially dengue) by hydrating body, increasing platelets counts, boosting immunity etc. then there
are plenty of other fruits available in the market which are rich source of vitamins and minerals and
antioxidants, which helps in increasing water in body, boosting immunity and disease resistivity
(some of them mentioned in table no. 4 with their nutrional composition).
The fruits like aonla and guava (peru) are very good source of vitamin C, having around 600
mg and 280 mg of vitamin C, which is far more than kiwi fruit and dragon fruit. These fruits are very
good source of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants properties, etc. (Table 4) which will also help in
increasing platelets counts, boosting immunity and hydrating the body etc. and for sure ultimately
they will help in speedy recovery during dengue or other fever infection. Therefore, person who is
suffering from dengue and other fevers should take all the benefiting fruits in addition to papaya or
kiwi fruit or dragon fruit. The nutrional composition of some fruits is given below (Table 4).

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 Table 4: Other fruit crops and their composition
Sr. Name of *Vitamins *Minerals Biologically active
no. fruit compounds present in
the fruit having
medicinal values
1 Aonla Vitamin C (552.6 Ca (27.6 mg), P (28.2 Polyphenols
mg) mg), Fe (16.6 mg), Cu
(1.8 mg), Zn (0.28 mg),
and Mn (1.1 mg)
2 Pomegranat Vitamin C (10.2 K (236 mg), Ca (10 mg), Punicalagins and
e mg) and Vitamin Mg (12 mg) and Fe (0.30 Punicic acid,
K (16.4 µg) mg), P (30 mg) polyphenols
3 Citrus fruits Vitamin C (70 K (237 mg), Ca, P and Mg monoterpenes,
(mosambi) mg) limonoids (triterpenes),
flavanoids, carotenoids
4 Grapes Vitamin C (10.8 K (191 mg), Ca (10 mg), (especially in red
mg), Vitamin K Mg (7 mg), Fe (0.36 mg), grapes) Anthocynins,
(14.6 µg), Cu (0.127 mg) and Mn Resveratrol, β-carotene,
Vitamin B- (0.071 mg) Lutein, lycopene, ellagic
complex acid
5 Guava Vitamin C (228.3 Ca (18 mg), Mg (22 mg), β-carotene, β-crypto-
mg), Vitamin A P (11 mg), Fe (0.26 mg), xanthin and lycopene
(624 IU), Vitamin K (417 mg) and Mn
K, Vitamin E, and (0.150 mg)
Vitamin B-
complex
6 Jamun Vitamin C (11.85 Fe (1.41 mg), Ca (11.65 Anthocynins, ellagic
mg) and Vitamin mg), Mg (35 mg) and K acid, polyphenols
B-complex (55 mg) (ellagic acid and
polyphenols are more in
seed than pulp)
7 Apple Vitamin C (4.6 K (107 mg), P, Ca (6 mg), Quercetin, Catechin and
mg), Vitamin A Mg (5 mg), Fe (0.12 mg) Chlorogenic acid
(54 IU) and and Na (1 mg)
Vitamin B-
complex
*Nutritive value per 100 g fruit (Source: Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)
It is very normal that person who is suffering from viral diseases or any kind of disease and
his/her family members will be in panic situation and they will take whatever kind of treatment
(either allopathic or Ayurveda or both) to get cured as early as possible. Generally, it is
recommended that fruits and vegetables are to be integral part of the diet to keep the body healthy
(400 g fruits and vegetables except tuber crops per day per person) but in our country fruits are not
taken on daily basis (mainly in poor and middle class families), this could be due to one or other
reason. The fruits are taken on largely when the person is suffering from disease or any kind of
infection.
Now days, kiwi fruit and dragon fruits are also recommended or advised during viral
infections, supported by the saying that these fruits will cure the viral infections. If you see the
market value of the kiwi fruit, it will be around Rs. 30-40 per fruit and Rs. 50-100 per fruit for

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dragon fruit which is less affordable for poor families. The reasons for higher rates of these fruits
could be the area under these fruits in India is less or one can say they are grown on small scale in
India and most of the kiwi fruits and dragon fruits in Indian markets are imported from other
countries and less availability in the market, which results in to higher price in the market. Therefore,
research and developmental works should be encouraged to enhance their area under different
pockets of our country and different climatic conditions to make these fruits available to all the
peoples. But person who is suffering from dengue and other fever should be given all fruits e.g.
pomegranate, citrus fruits, papaya, dragon fruit, kiwi fruit, sapota, etc. and many other beneficial
fruits available in market for speedy recovery along with treatments suggested by doctors.

Conclusion:
Curing of dengue fever solely with papaya, dragon fruit or kiwi fruit is still under
investigation and thus appropriate food diet enriched with all fruits and vegetables (whatever
available and not only dragon fruit or kiwi fruit) is necessary for speedy recovery or aid in the proper
treatment (it may be allopathic, homeopathic or Ayurveda) of the dengue virus infected person or
other fevers.

References:
1. Nunes NN, Santana LA, Sampaio MU, Lemos FJ, Oliva ML. The component of Carica
papaya seed toxic to A. Aegypti and the identification of tegupain, the enzyme that generates
it. Chemosphere. 2013; 92:413–20.
2. Ranasinghe P, Ranasinghe P, Abeysekera WP, Premakumara GA, Perera YS, Gurugama P, et
al. In vitro erythrocyte membrane stabilization properties of Carica papaya L. leaf extracts.
Pharmacognosy Res. 2012; 4:196–202.
3. Sathasivam K, Ramanathan S, Mansor SM, Haris MR, Wernsdorfer WH. Thrombocyte
counts in mice after the administration of papaya leaf suspension. Wien Klin Wochenschr.
2009;121(Suppl 3):19–22.
4. Subenthiran S, Choon TC, Cheong KC, Thayan R, Teck MB, Muniandy PK, et al. Carica
papaya leaves juice significantly accelerates the rate of increase in platelet count among
patients with dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever. Evid Based Complement Alternat
Med 2013. 2013 616737.
5. Ahmad N, Fazal H, Ayaz M, Abbasi BH, Mohammad I, Fazal L. Dengue fever treatment
with Carica papaya leaves extracts. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2011; 1:330–3.
6. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/173044/nutrients

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