The Effects of Scurrula atropurpurea and Dendrophthoe pentandra Leaves on Platelet and Leukocyte Profiles: A Phase 1 Clinical Trial

Tea mistletoe (Scurrula atropurpurea) and mango mistletoe (Dendrophthoe pentandra) (SADP) are parasitic plants that are widely utilized as folk medicines due to the presence of some active flavonoid compounds. However, there are no scientific reports regarding the effects of SADP on platelet and leukocyte profiles in humans. Therefore, we studied the impact of SADP on healthy human subjects. This single-blinded clinical trial involved 15 days of oral administration of SADP capsules and enrolled 28 residents of Malang. They were then divided into two groups: a placebo group (n=13) and a treatment group (n=15). The treatment group received 560 mg of S. atropurpurea and 187 mg of the D. pentandra leaves powder. After 15 days, subjects were measured for platelet, leukocyte counts, platelet distribution width (PDW), and leukocyte differential count. Our findings showed no significant differences between the placebo and treatment groups in platelet and leukocyte counts, PDW, or leukocyte differential counts. It can be concluded that SADP administered orally for 15 days was safe in healthy human subjects.