ABSTRACT
Aim: To evaluate the long term (24 weeks) anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidaemic and antiatherogenic effects of aqueous leaf extract of Carica papaya in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Study Design: The effect of daily oral administration of C. papaya aqueous leaf extract in streptozotocin diabetic rats was monitored for 24 weeks by assessing fasting blood sugar and serum lipid profile. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry Laboratory and Central Research Laboratory, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. March to October, 2009. Methodology: 24 rats in three groups, normal control (group 1), diabetic control (group 2) and C. papaya treated diabetic rats, TDR (group 3) were used for this study. Body weight, fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol, total triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and HDLcholestrol, as well as atherogenic index (AI) and coronary risk index (CRI), were assessed periodically in the serum for 24 weeks. Results: Treatment of STZ diabetic rats with C. papaya leaf extract produced significant (P<.05) reductions in FBS from week 2 of treatment. Normoglycaemia was attained in week 8 and sustained till week 24. Significant (P<.05) reductions in serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were also observed for most of the points monitored while HDL-cholesterol was significantly (P<.05) increased. The high AI and CRI caused by STZ diabetes was significantly (P<.05) reduced in the C. papaya treated diabetic rats. Conclusion: The findings from this study substantiate the long term potential and traditional usage of C. papaya for antidiabetic and antihyperlipidaemic effects.