Antidiabetic, Antioxidant and Haematopoietic Potentials of Aqueous, Methanol and Petroleum Ether Extracts of Unripe Carica Papaya Seed on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

This study investigated the antioxidant and haematopoietic capacity of unripe Carica papaya (UCP) seed extract in diabetic rats using three different solvents. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were used but twenty-five rats were induced with diabetes following an overnight fast, by a single intravenous injection of 60 mg/kg STZ freshly dissolved in citrate buffer (pH 4.5). Control animals received 0.9% sterile saline. Hyperglycemia was confirmed for three (3) days. Rats with blood glucose levels ≥ 200 mg/dL were selected for the study. The rats were grouped into six groups of five rats per group: NC, normal control, DC, diabetic control, DAUCP, DMUCP, and DPEUCP are diabetic rats treated with aqueous, methanol petroleum ether extracts respectively while DSTD, diabetic rats treated with standard drug. The extracts were administered to the animals orally for 21 days. The animals administered with different extracts showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in blood sugar level and Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration but an increase in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) when compared to the diabetic control group. Diabetic rats without treatment showed a significant decline in RBC count, WBCs and platelets and their associated indices except neutrophils in the diabetic rats without treatment. Treatment with the extracts significantly increases these haematological parameters. The extracts could improve glycemic control and improve haematological indices along with enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity which has a beneficial effect in preventing diabetic complications. This implies that unripe C. papaya seed could be used in the management of diabetes.