Journal of Medicinal Plant Research Vol. 1 (1), 001- 004, August 2007          
© 2007 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Toxicity studies on an unripe Carica papaya aqueous extract: biochemical and haematological effects in wistar albino rats

Oduola, T^1*, Adeniyi F. A. A.², Ogunyemi E. O.³, Bello, I. S.⁴, Idowu T. O⁵ and Subair, H.G⁶

¹Department of Haematology, Special Investigations Laboratory, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

²Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

³Department of Chemical Pathology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria.

⁴Department of General Medical Practice, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

⁵Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Nigeria.

⁶Department of Pharmacology, Drug Research and Production unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: oduolataofeeq@yahoo.com  Tel: 2348033968785.

Accepted 21, June 2007

Aqueous extract of unripe Carica papaya is consumed by some sickle cell patients for its antisickling activities in some parts of southern Nigeria without considering its safety. The effects of the extract on functions of the liver, kidney and bone marrow were investigated in 30 wistar albino rats. The rats were in 6 groups of 5 animals per group. The first group is the control and the other five groups were the study groups. The oral acute toxicity of the extract (LD₅₀) was determined, different doses, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg were administered daily to the study groups (A, B, C, D, E) respectively for 6 weeks. Liver, kidney and bone marrow function tests were assessed using standard techniques. The results obtained for biochemical and haematological parameters for the control and experimental groups showed no statistical significant different (P>0.05). This result showed that the intake of unripe C.  papaya extract had no adverse effects on the functions of these organs in rats.

Key words: Carica papaya, aqueous extract, liver, kidney, bone marrow, antisickling.