Antidiabetic Effect of Aqueous Root Extract of Carica papaya L. in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Antihyperglycaemic effect of aqueous root extract of male Carica papaya L. (Family: Caricaceae) was investigated in alloxan-induced albino rats. 500 mg/kg body weight extract was administered by gavage orally twice daily for 7 days. Consequent upon induction of diabetes, the resulting raised levels of blood glucose, cholesterol, bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were significantly (p<0.05) reduced after one week of administering the extract. In contrast, the significant decrease in total plasma protein of rats injected with alloxan were significantly (p<0.05) increased following administration of extract compared to diabetic control rats. The results indicate the aqueous extract of male Carica papaya root ameliorated hyperglycaemia and hypercholesterolaemia lending credence to its folkloric use as treatment for diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, the extract ameliorated hepatic tissue injuries in the diabetic rats. Keywords: Carica papaya L., antihyperglycaemic, diabetic rats, aqueous, root, extract DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-6-01 Publication date:March 31st 202