Antioxidant-Mediated Hepatoprotective Effects of Crude Ethanolic Extract of Carica papaya Leaves in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats
Adebayo O. F.
Egesie G.
Odeh O.S.
Abstract
This study investigates the antioxidant-mediated hepatoprotective effects of ethanolic extract of Carica papaya leaves (EECP) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Forty male albino Wistar rats were randomized into five groups (n = 8): normal control, STZ-induced diabetic, STZ + metformin (500 mg/kg), STZ + EECP (200 mg/kg), and STZ + EECP (400 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced with a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). EECP or metformin was administered daily for 21 days. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), body weight, liver function markers (ALT, AST, ALP, total protein, albumin, bilirubin), antioxidant biomarkers (SOD, CAT, GSH, MDA), and liver histopathology were assessed. EECP mitigated STZ-induced weight loss, hyperglycaemia, and hepatic dysfunction in a dose-dependent manner. The 200 and 400 mg/kg EECP treatments notably reduced FBG levels (to 7.04 ± 1.42 mmol/L and 8.61 ± 1.52 mmol/L, respectively) compared to diabetic controls (15.37 ± 0.44 mmol/L, p < 0.05). EECP also significantly restored liver enzyme activities—especially at 400 mg/kg—reducing AST (79.68 ± 4.78 U/L) and ALT (39.50 ± 7.12 U/L) towards normal levels. Hepatic antioxidant status was markedly improved, with elevated SOD (78.41 ± 2.74 u/mL), CAT (41.07 ± 1.47 u/mg Protein), and GSH (6.75 ± 0.58 mM), and reduced MDA levels (8.31 ± 0.74 uM) in treated groups. Histological evaluation confirmed preservation of liver architecture and reduced inflammatory infiltration in EECP-treated rats. Crude ethanolic extract of Carica papaya leaves confers hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects in diabetic rats, via mitigation of oxidative stress and restoration of hepatic function.
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