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ABSTRACT
Historically, medicinal plants have been employed as therapeutics before modern medications became prevalent. This research work was aimed at evaluating the preliminary investigation of phytochemical properties of aqueous extract of Carica papaya (pawpaw) seeds and its hypoglycemic effect on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in wistar rats. The phytochemical properties of aqueous extract of C. papaya seeds were conducted using the standard Association of Analytical Chemists Methods (AOAC). Fifteen (15) male wistar rats weighing between 172 and 296 g were distributed into five groups (group 1: normal control, group 2: 45 mg/kg STZ, group 3: 10 mg/kg Glibenclemide, group 4: 50 mg/kg aqueous extract of C. papaya, group 5: 100 mg/kg aqueous extract of C. papaya) which were used for the physiological study. Diabetes was induced with 45 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). In C. papaya aqueous extract, the results of the phytochemical studies revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and phenols. The Effect of C. papaya on streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus on experimental animals (wistar rats) showed significant decrease in the blood sugar levels for group 4 (50 mg/kg aqueous extract) and group 5 (50 mg/kg aqueous extract) at day 1, day 3 and day 7 treatment periods; with day 7 showing the highest significance compared with other groups. The aqueous extract of C. papaya also decreased cholesterol, High-Density Lipoprotein, triglycerides and Low Density Lipoprotein of the diabetic treated rats. In the kidney of diabetic treated rats, C.papaya reduced distortion of the renal corpuscles (glomeruli and Bowman's capsules), as well as accumulation of glycogen and lipids was prevented. Pancreatic islet cells were normal in non-diabetic treated animals, whereas in diabetic treated rats, C. papaya helps islet regeneration manifest as preservation of cells occurred. Intralobular duct was also observed meaning the secretory acini (functional units of the pancreas that produce digestive enzymes) are seen to be connected to an intralobular duct, this showed healthy pancreas. The research into medicinal plants should be encouraged in order to discover other important therapeutic properties of plant parts for the management of ailments. Research on medicinal plants should be actively pursued to uncover additional therapeutic benefits of various plant components in the management of various diseases
