Evaluation of the Hepatoprotective Potential of Methanol Extract of Carica papaya Linn. (Caricaceae) Ripe Fruit Peel against Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of methanol extract of ripe Carica papaya (pawpaw) fruit peel in adult male wistar rats. Six groups of adult male wistar rats of five rats per group were used for the study. Group 1 was the normal control; Group 2 was induced with liver damage without treatment; Group 3, 4 & 5 were treated with 200, 400 & 600 mg/kg b.w of extract respectively while Group 6 was administered with the standard drug for seven days after which treated groups were administered with CCl4: liquid paraffin (1:1, 2 mL/kg body weight, s.c.). After 30 minutes of administration of the extract and silymarin, animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected. Serum hepatomarkers and biomarkers of oxidative stress were evaluated using standard procedures. Administration of CCl4 significantly (P<0.05), increased levels of serum hepatomarkers and malondialdehyde but decreased catalase activity. However, administration of the extract caused a dose dependent decrease in the levels of the serum hepatomarkers and malondialdehyde levels. On the contrary, a dose dependent increase in catalase activity was observed. Qualitative phytochemical analysis performed on the sample, revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, phlabotanins terpenes and phenols. It can be deduced from this study that the peel of ripe Carica papaya (pawpaw) fruit could be an embodiment of compounds with hepatoprotective potential.