ABSTRACT

A methanol extract of unripe Carica papaya was given to alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats at graded dosess of 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000mg/kg body weight (BW). The rats were grouped into 8 (Gpl-Gp8) each having 5 rats. Gp1 was maintained on rat feed and water only ad libitum. Gp2 was not treated after alloxan administration. Gp3 was treated with a known anti-diabetic drug, glibenclamide at 30mg/kg BW. Gps 4,5,6,7 and 8 received the doses of extract indicated above (200-1000mg/kg BW). With the exception of Gp4 animals (200mg/kg BW), Gps land 2, the rat in all the groups had significant reductions in the mean vitamin A levels, although to varying degrees. The extract appeared to have anti-vitamin A activity at higher doses. The mean vitamin E levels in all the rat groups remained fairly constant probably because it is a strong antioxidant. When compared with Gp1, the mean vitamin D levels were significantly lowered and the lowest was in Gp3 that received the anti-diabetic drug, suggesting that the drug depletes this vitamin in diabetics. Significant (P<0.05) lowering of vitamin B 12 occurred in all the groups except Gp 1, indicating that a component of the extract antagonizes this vitamin. The extract appears to have a component that depletes vitamin C at high doses as the only significant (P<0.05) reduction in its level occurred in the rats given 1000mg/kg BW of it. With the exception of Gpland Gp8, the rats in all the groups had a non-significant (p>O.05) increase in their mean sodium ion concentration. Compared with • Gp 1 and Gp2, the mean chloride concentration of extract-treated groups (400-1000mg/kg) had a significant decrease. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in potassium, bicarbonate and calciumion concentrations for all extract groups when compared with Gp1. Results showed that Gp3 significantly (P<0.05) had an increased potassium ion concentration. Calcium and bicarbonate ion concentrations for Gp3 were within the normal range probably because bicarbonate acts as a buffer to maintain the normal level of acidity. The methanol extract of Carica papaya used in this study maintained the electrolytes at beneficial levels. The results of this study suggested that in diabetes, patients have lower than normal levels of the vitamins studied, except vitamin E.