ANTIHYPERGLYCAEMIC EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Carica papaya SEEDS ON STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED HYPERGLYCAEMIC WISTAR RATS
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the world today. Medicinal plants have been employed as therapeutics before modern medications became prevalent. This research work was aimed at evaluating the antihyperglycaemic effect of the ethanolic extract of Carica papaya seeds on streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic Wistar rats. The phytochemical properties of ethanolic extract of Carica papaya seeds were conducted using the method of Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Twenty-five (25) male Wistar rats weighing between 250 and 296 g were distributed into five groups. Apart from Group 1, Group 2 to Group 5 Wistar rats were induced hyperglycaemia with 45 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ). The Group 1 was normal control (distilled water), Group 2: 45 mg/kg STZ, Group 3: 10 mg/kg glibenclamide, Group 4: 50 mg/kg ethanolic extract of C. papaya seeds, Group 5: 100 mg/kg ethanolic extract of C. papaya seeds. The phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract of Carica papaya seeds revealed the presence of alkaloids, eugenols, flavonoids, glycoside, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenoid. The Effect of ethanolic extract of Carica papaya seeds on streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia on Wistar rats showed significant decrease in the blood sugar levels for Group 4 (50 mg/kg ethanolic extract) and Group 5 (100 mg/kg ethanolic extract) at day 3 and 7 treatment periods. The ethanolic extract of C. papaya also showed ameliorative abilities on biochemical and haematological parameters. In the kidney of hyperglycaemic treated rats, the ethanolic extract of C. papaya seeds reduced distortion of the renal corpuscles (glomeruli and Bowman's capsules), as well as accumulation of glycogen and lipids was prevented. Damaged pancreatic islet cells from hyperglycaemic Wistar rats were regeneration as preservation of cells occurred. This research shows the potency of the medicinal nature of the seeds of Carica papaya.
Keywords: Carica papaya, Diabetes, Glibenclamide, Streptozotocin, Wistar rats
*Correspondence: collins.udinyiwe@uniben.edu, +2348062613143
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