Effect of ethanol leaf extract of pawpaw (carica papaya) on carbon tetrachloride induced-oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in wistar rats

• Author Details:   
• Emmanuel Oluwafemi Ibukun ^*
• Olusegun Emmanuel Oluwadare
• Esther Udo Umoh

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Introduction: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a potent hepatotoxin that causes oxidative stress and liver damage. Carica papaya has been traditionally used in traditional medicine for its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, suggesting potential benefits in mitigating CCl4-induce liver damage. This study investigates the hepatoprotective effect of ethanol leaf extract of Carica papaya against CCl4-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: Twenty five wistar rats weighing 140 ± 20g were divided into five groups (n=5): normal control, CCl4 control(positive), low-dose treatment (200mg/kg), high-dose treatment (400mg/kg) and Silymarin(140 mg/kg). The rats were induced twice a week with CCl4 and treatment followed immediately after induction per their body weight for 28 days. Biochemical analysis such as Haematological Assays, Hepatic Function Assays, Kidney Function Endogenous, Antioxidant Status and Histopathology were evaluated and also phytochemical property such as Phenols, tannins, alkaloids, arthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and saponins were determined.

Result: The results showed that the extract significantly reduced liver enzyme levels, oxidative stress markers, and histopathological changes induced by CCl4.The Hepatotoxicity effect of carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) and ECPon the activity of wistar rat liver showed that thetreatment with ECP produced a reductionin hepatic enzyme markers (ALT, AST, GGT and ALP) that were high as a result of the induction process by CCL4, this suggest that the phytochemicals in the plant extract have ameliorative potential when compared with the positive control group as shown in table 4.4 For renal enzymatic markers (Blood Urea Nitrogen and The Rate of Creatine, The results showed that the extract significantly reduced liver enzyme levels, oxidative stress markers, and histopathological changes induced by CCl4.

Conclusion: This study revealed the activities of various marker enzymes and levels of metabolites/compounds in the blood taken after the 28 days from the experimental animals in both the control and extract- treated groups, and were used as indicators for renal and hepatic status.This study demonstrates the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of ethanol leaf extract of Carica papaya against CCl4-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in wistar rats.