ABSTRACT

The present study was designed to evaluate effects of methanol extract of unripe pulp of Carica papaya on liver functions of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Animals weighing (110-150 g) were divided into eight (8) groups of 2 animals each; Group 1 (normal control), Group 2 (negative control) and Group 3 (positive control), Group 4 (200mg/kg of extract), Group 5 (400mg/kg of extract), Group 6 (600mg/kg of extract), Group 7 (800mg/kg of extract), Group 8 (1000mg/kg of extract). Diabetes was induced in albino rats by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate at a single dose of 120 mg/kg body weight into groups Group 2. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 respectively. The standard drug used for the study is Glibenclamide, which was administered at a dose of 5mg/65kg of body weight. Animals in groups I and 2 received normal rat feeds and water, while animals in groups 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 respectively received 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000mg/kg body weight of unripe pulp of Carica papaya extract for a period of 28 days. Glucose levels were measured on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and day 28. Groups 1, 3, 4, and 7 had the least mean glucose levels, while the highest level occurred in groups 2, 5 and 6. The unripe pulp of Carica papaya elicited significant (P<0.05) glucose reduction in an irregular maimer. Across extract treatments, cholesterol decreased dose-dependently up to 400mg/kg, increased at 600mg/kg and dropped dose-dependently for 800-1000mg/kg. Other k'er function parameters ALT, AST, bilirubin, albumin and total protein parameters showed dose-dependent decreases in the various extract groups when compared to the positive and negative control groups. These actions are likely to be due to the bioactive contents of the extract. Unripe pulp of Carica papaya from the study exhibited ameliorative effects on the livers of the rats studied.