ABSTRACT

Several studies suggest that Carica papaya, a widely eaten fruit, possess hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties. The present study is aimed at evaluating the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties of methanol extract of the unripe pulp of Carica papaya. We hypothesized that ifthe unripe pulp displayed antihyperlipidemic properties, it could offer hope of management of lipid abnormalities prevalent in diabetes mellitus. The study was performed using 16 wistar rats weighing 110-150g, classified into 8 groups (2 rats per group). Rats ingroup A (normal control) received normal feed and water ad libitum; rats in group B (Negative control) received in addition to this, intraperitoneal injection of 120mg/kg/body weight of alloxan; rats in treated group C (positive control) received in addition to these, oral treatmentwith6mg/65kg/day of glibenclamide (standard drug); rats in the test groups (D-H) received in addition to normal feed and water ad libitum and intraperitoneal injection of 120mg/kg/body weight of alloxan, oral treatment with different doses of methanol extract of unripe Carica papaya-, Group D(200 mg/kg/day); Group E(400g/kg/day); Group F(600 mg/kg/day); Group G(800 mg/kg/day); Group H(1000 mg/kg/day). All treatments lasted for 28 successive days then concentration of body lipids [total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and triacylglycerol (TAG)] was measured. The results obtained showed that cholesterol concentration of diabetes-induced rats were higher than normal but administration ofthe extract at dose of lOOOmg/kg reversed the cholesterol increase. The extract treated groups showed a dose-dependent significant (p<0.05) decrease in LDL concentration over the positive and negative control groups .Across extract treatments, mean HDL increased dose-dependently for 400-1000mg/Kg groups. Administration of the extract effectively reduced the elevated TAG noticed in alloxan-treated rats in a dose-dependent fashion similar to the standard drug with doses 600-1000g/Kg showing lower TAG levels than that of the positive control group. These results support the claims that unripe Carica papaya possess antihyperlipidemic properties. This knowledge may be useful in the search for natural remedies in the management of diabetes mellitus.>