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Abstract
Immune thrombocytopenia, formerly idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), is an autoimmune disease characterized by the depletion of platelets below 100,000/µl when other causes of thrombocytopenia have been ruled out. It is associated with several infectious pathologies, disease states, and as a known side effect and complication of several drugs and chemotherapies. Standard treatment calls for glucocorticoid mediated immunosuppression, intravenous immunoglobin transfusion, platelet stimulation, platelet transfusion, and splenectomy in instances of chronic and severe disease. While standard treatments are often effective, some cases prove resistant, and more commonly, some patients are unable to tolerate standard treatment protocols or opt out of surgical intervention. In addition, second line therapies can be unfeasibly expensive and are associated with side-effects themselves. Therefore, for a subset of patients afflicted by immune thrombocytopenia, the exploration of alternative treatment methods is needed in order to ease their burden of disease. Emerging evidence suggests that plant-derived extracts, traditionally used in regions such as Asia and Africa to manage acute thrombocytopenia, hold promise as alternative or adjunctive therapies for the mentioned subset of patients. These natural compounds may provide a cost-effective and less invasive option, potentially bridging gaps in current treatment regimens. We propose these extracts may play a role in fulfilling this deficiency in current treatment protocols. With this review, we aim to characterize and compile evidence that various organic extracts and compounds may be utilized to improve outcomes in these patients. By highlighting their clinical relevance and potential for integration into ITP treatment protocols, this manuscript underscores the importance of expanding the alternative therapies for ITP to improve patient outcomes and reduce treatment burdens.
Recommended Citation
Wiggins, Russell; Woo, Jihoo; Cauba, John; and Mito, Shizue, "Evaluating the Potential of Herbal Extracts as Treatment in Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Review of Evidence and Limitations" (2025). Research Symposium. 25.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/talks/25
Evaluating the Potential of Herbal Extracts as Treatment in Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Review of Evidence and Limitations
Immune thrombocytopenia, formerly idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), is an autoimmune disease characterized by the depletion of platelets below 100,000/µl when other causes of thrombocytopenia have been ruled out. It is associated with several infectious pathologies, disease states, and as a known side effect and complication of several drugs and chemotherapies. Standard treatment calls for glucocorticoid mediated immunosuppression, intravenous immunoglobin transfusion, platelet stimulation, platelet transfusion, and splenectomy in instances of chronic and severe disease. While standard treatments are often effective, some cases prove resistant, and more commonly, some patients are unable to tolerate standard treatment protocols or opt out of surgical intervention. In addition, second line therapies can be unfeasibly expensive and are associated with side-effects themselves. Therefore, for a subset of patients afflicted by immune thrombocytopenia, the exploration of alternative treatment methods is needed in order to ease their burden of disease. Emerging evidence suggests that plant-derived extracts, traditionally used in regions such as Asia and Africa to manage acute thrombocytopenia, hold promise as alternative or adjunctive therapies for the mentioned subset of patients. These natural compounds may provide a cost-effective and less invasive option, potentially bridging gaps in current treatment regimens. We propose these extracts may play a role in fulfilling this deficiency in current treatment protocols. With this review, we aim to characterize and compile evidence that various organic extracts and compounds may be utilized to improve outcomes in these patients. By highlighting their clinical relevance and potential for integration into ITP treatment protocols, this manuscript underscores the importance of expanding the alternative therapies for ITP to improve patient outcomes and reduce treatment burdens.
