ISSN: 2577-4360
Authors: Usin SG* and Ugwu MN
Liver plays a vital role in metabolism, detoxification and biotransformation process in the body; they are prone to xenobiotic induced injury due its central role in xenobiotic metabolism. Liver diseases are regarded as the most causes of morbidity and mortality in human globally. In this study, liver function biomarkers such as total protein, albumin, globulin and bilirubin (direct and total) were evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats treated with petroleum ether extract of unripe Carica papaya seed. The treatment lasted for twenty-one (21) days. Four hundred grams (400 g) powder of the unripe Carica papaya (CP) seed was extracted using 1.5 L of petroleum ether for 72 hours at 60°C. The extract was evaporated to dryness at 40°C. Twenty-five (25) albino Wistar rats weighing 160 to 190 g were obtained and sub-divided into five (5) groups of five (5) rats each as follow: Group I (Normal control), Group II (Diabetic control), Group III (Diabetic and 200 mg Petroleum Ether extract), Group IV (Diabetic and standard drug), Group V (Normal Control and 200 mg Petroleum Ether extract). After the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed and blood was collected through cardiac puncture, then centrifuged and the sera were used for the evaluation of serum total protein, albumins, bilirubin (Direct and total) and globulin. The result revealed a significant (P<0.05) increase in total protein, albumin, and globulin in groups III (DPET) and IV (DSTD) compared to the diabetic control; however, non-significant (P>0.05) difference was revealed in bilirubin (direct and total) in groups III (DPET) and IV (DSTD). More so, non-significant (P≥0.05) difference in total protein, albumin, bilirubin (total and direct), and globulin was observed in group V (NCPET) compared to normal control. Conclusively, it can be said that the unripe Carica papaya seed extract possess hepatoprotective effect as it does not have any damaging effect on the liver as revealed in the study.
Keywords: Carica Papaya; Liver Function; Diabetes Mellitus; Total Protein; Albumin; Globulin; Bilirubin
