Hypoglycemic and Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Ethanolic Fruit Peel Extract of Carica papaya (pawpaw) in an Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a severe health concern that is usually linked to a person's lifestyle and genetic variables. Its frequency of occurrence is alarming. Anti- diabetics drugs are costly and come with adverse effects. This study aims to evaluate the phytochemical, toxicity profile, antidiabetic and antihyperlipedemic effects of ethanolic fruit peel extract of Carica papaya in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: The qualitative phytochemicals and acute toxicity (LD50, oral, rats) were evaluated. Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg) while fasting. The rats were divided into 6 groups of 6 albino rats. Group 1 as normal control, group 2 as test control, and group 3 as standard (administrated with 0.1 mg/kg/day of glibenclamide). The ethanolic fruit peel extract of Carica papaya was administered to groups 4-6 at doses of 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg. 2-6 were induced with diabetes. Blood glucose levels were measured at 0, 3, 6, and 9 hrs, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, and the serum lipid profile was evaluated at the last 28 days.

Results: The ethanolic fruit peel extract of Carica papaya shows the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, and anthraquinones. The acute toxicity indicated that the fruit peel of Carica papaya is practically non-toxic to the experimental rats and its LD50 was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. There was a significant reduction in body weight from day 3 to day 28. The decreases in body weight were found in group 5 .The extract of Carica papaya showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction of blood glucose levels from day 3 to 28. Similarly, oral administration of fruit peel extract of Carica papaya at 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg showed significant decreases in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) with increases in serum high density lipoprotein (HDL-C).

Conclusion:The ethanolic fruit peel extract of Carica papaya exhibited potent hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic potential in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.