Gastro-protective Effect of Carica papaya Leaf Extracts on Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats

Abstract

Carica papaya leaves are commonly used traditionally to treat many diseases, including peptic ulcers; however, these pharmacological claims and safety issues of the leaves have not been adequately resolved. The present study aims to evaluate the possible gastro-protective potential of Carica papaya aqueous and methanol leaf extracts on ethanol-induced ulcers. Aqueous and Methanol extracts of C. papaya were prepared by percolation method and screened for phytochemicals using conventional method and Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometric methods. The gastro-protective effects of the extracts were determined using thirty (30) rats weighing 180 and 250 g were randomly divided into five groups. Group 1 served as the normal control (distilled water), groups 2 served as the (negative control), group 3 received 25mg/kg Omeprazole (standard drug) group 4 and 5 received 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of aqueous and methanol extracts of Carica papaya. Two weeks after the oral administration, gastric ulcer was induced in all rats with 95% ethanol (2 mL). The aqueous and methanol leaf extract of C. papaya showed a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent protection against peptic ulcer. The effects produced by the methanol leaf extract of C. papaya were comparable to those of the standard drugs (Omeprazole). Phytochemical analysis of the aqueous and methanol leaves extracts of C. papaya revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, reducing sugar and saponins, some of which have been reported to elicit cytoprotective effect. Gas chromatographic analysis showed the presence of cytoprotective agents. These findings show that aqueous and methanol extracts of the leaves of C. papaya possess potent antiulcer properties; hence justifies the traditional usage of this plant for ulcer treatment.