Sunday Ahamefula Ezekwe and Paul Chidoka Chikezie
The likely phytocomponents, present in aqueous root extract (AqRE) of Carica papaya, responsible for hypoglycemic activity and their capacity to reverse altered blood lipid profile and compromised hepatorenal functions in alloxan-induced diabetic rats were investigated. The identification of main phytocomponents of AqRE of C. papaya was carried out using GC-MS system. The capacity of AqRE of C. papaya to reverse altered blood lipid profile and compromised hepatorenal functions were investigated using standard diagnostic techniques. The relative abundance of the 7 major phytocomponents present in AqRE of C. papaya was within the range of 3.49-35.63%. AqRE of C. papaya lowered elevated fasting blood glucose concentration of the diabetic rat group by 30.95%. The diabetic rat group treated with AqRE of C. papaya gave absolute values of TC-(HDL-C)]/(HDL-C=1.15 units, TC/ HDL-C=2.15 units and LDL-C/HDL-C=1.56 units. Additionally, the ratio of serum ALT to AST activities of the diabetic rat group treated with AqRE of C. papaya gave absolute value of 2.27 units. Serum total bilirubin, creatinine and urea concentrations of the diabetic rat group treated with AqRE of C. papaya were significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of diabetic rat group. GC-MS chromatogram of AqRE of C. papaya revealed the presence of phytochemicals of therapeutic potentials. AqRE of C. papaya ameliorated hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in the diabetic rats. Finally, AqRE of C. papaya exhibited greater capacity to ameliorate obstructive liver dysfunction than hepatic tissue injuries in the diabetic rats.