Abstract
Aim: This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of Carica papaya on male reproductive organs. Methods: Twenty Wistar rats were randomly grouped into 4 of 5 rats each. They were fed with 2.5g/kg, 5g/kg and 7.5g/kg of ethanolic extract of Carica papaya once a day. The first group was given water. The rats were sacrificed on the 14th day and blood and tissues were taken for biochemical and histological analysis. Results: There was significant increase (PE‚0.05) in serum protein (83.60±3.209, 78.80±1.483 and 72.60±3.578) and alkaline phosphatase (95.80±2.387, 62.80±2.168 and 99.60±1.817) when compared with the controls (64.40±3.286 and 55.60±4.722) respectively. The histology of the tissues was also normal. Conclusion: Carica papaya leaf at various dosages in this research did not distort blood chemistry and the histo-architecture of the seminal vesicle and testicular tissue. Key Words: Spermatogenic cells, Herbal, Reproduction, Carica papaya.
Highlights
World health organisation (WHO) in 2002 defined traditional medicine as the sum total of the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness
Collection and Ethanolic Extraction of C. papaya Leaves The leaves of C. papaya collected in early march were obtained from the premises of the SHST, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Experimental Animals Twenty Wistar rats were obtain from the animal house of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State and acclimatized in SHST, Port Harcourt
Summary
World health organisation (WHO) in 2002 defined traditional medicine as the sum total of the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness. Carica papaya (C. papaya) leaves are one of the readily available plants for herbal concoction, it is used as an alternative approach to orthodox health care delivery (Akande et al, 2012), which may have beneficial effects but may not be completely harmless (Oreagba et al, 2011). It is used in the treatment and cure of malaria, fever, diabetes, wounds and for inhibition of cancer growth (Adebayo and Kiettha, 2011). C. papaya latex has been shown to have activity against C. albicans (Giordani et al, 1996), Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Satrija et al, 1995), Ascaris suum and Ascaridia
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