Effect of Aqueous Extract from Unripe Pulp of Carica Papaya on Transaminase Activities in Selected Rabbit Tissue of Normal and Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rabbit.
I. Oloyede Omotade

Department of Biochemistry, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria.

Abstract: Aqueous extract from mature unripe pulp of Carrica papaya was assessed for toxicity in selected tissues (Liver, Kidney, Stomach and Small Intestine) of normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits using Aspartate and Alanine amino transfarase (AST and ALT) as marker enzymes. Rabbits weighing between 1.00 – 1.5kg were grouped into two major groups Normal and Diabetic and were given aqueous extract (5.% w/v) in appropriate doses (50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg) once daily at 24hr intervals for 4 weeks. The results obtained showed that administration of extract to both groups resulted in a dose dependant inhibition of the activities of Aspartate and Alanine amino transferase in tissues like Liver and Kidney. No corresponding elevation in enzyme activities were obtained in the serum. However, reduction in AST activities (p > 0.5) was noticed in the Liver and Kidney of normal rabbits treated with the extract at doses of 50 and 200mg/kg body weight while there was significant reduction in both AST and ALT in Diabetic rabbits treated with the dosage 100mg/kg body weight. The serum values of aspartate and alanine amino transferase (AST and ALT) were low in all the animals studied probably because the released enzymes were not getting into the serum due to inhibition of enzyme molecules insitu. The results suggest the validity of the clinical trial of unripe pulp (aqueous extract in management of diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Aspartate; alanine amino transferase; Carica papaya

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