International
Journal of Herbs and Pharmacological Research IJHPR,
2012, 1(2): 48 – 54.
www.antrescentpub.com
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RESEARCH
PAPER:
THE
EFFECT OF CARICA PAPAYA SEEDS ON THE HISTOLOGY OF THE LIVER IN
WISTAR RATS
*1 Dikibo, E., 2Okpe, A. C., 1Turray, A.A., 3Onodagu, B.O., 4Ogbodo, L.A. Ogbodo, A., 5Oyadonghan G.P.
1Department
of Medical Laboratory Science, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State,
Nigeria. 2Department of Pharmacology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus,
Enugu State, Nigeria. Department of 3Medical
Microbiology; 4Mobid Anatomy, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital,
Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria; 5Department of Anatomy, Abia
State University, Uturu, Abia State.
Corresponding
author: elizabethdikibo@gmail.com
Received: 24th April, 2012
Accepted: 30th June, 2012 Published: 31st July, 2012
ABSTRACT
This
study investigates the effect of oral ingestion of Carica papaya seeds
on the liver histology of growing Sprague Dawley rats. The study involved 40
growing rats (95.0±10.0grams). They were divided into eight groups of 5 rats each:
A (control; n=5), B (n=10), C (n=10) and D (n=10). Group A1 and A2 served as
the acute and chronic control respectively. Group B1, C1 and D1 served as the
sub-acute test while group B2, C2 and D2 served as the chronic test. The rats
were fed with varying doses of powdered Carica papaya seed (6, 8,
10grams). Group A1, B1, C1 and D1 were fed for 3 weeks while Group A2, B2, C2
and D2 were fed for 6 weeks. The results showed test group B1 presented
infarction with haemorrhage and exudations. B2 presented pyknosis and
eosinophilic cells with cellular degeneration. C1 presented pyknosis,
parenchymal erosion and mild vacuolation, haemorrhage and embolism and C2
presented severe vacuolation and pyknosis. D1 presented palour, vacuolation (V)
and arterial wall disruption and D2 presented pyknotic cells with transitional
phases of karyohexis and karyolysis, parenchymal erosion and severe vacuolation.
The observations suggest Carica papaya seeds are toxic to the liver and
may induce hepatic damages in a dose and duration dependent manner.
Key
words: Carica papaya seed, Liver, Traditional medicine, Nigeria,
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INTRODUCTION
It is
a well known fact that as many as 80% of the world’s population depend on
traditional medicines for their primary health care (WHO, 2000). In this
regards, traditional medicines may be said to have been a source of inspiration
to the world in general and Nigeria in particular. This is sequel to the fact
that medicines derived from plants have made large contributions to human
health and well being (Iwu et al., 1999). According to Yinger and Yewhalaw
(2007), the reason for this prevalence is due to the facts that traditional
medicine has remained the most affordable and easily accessible source of
treatment in the primary health care system of resource poor communities. Consequently,
the report that the use of natural plant products for therapeutic purposes, is
growing and largely embraced by the general population (Osifo et al.,
2011) and thus, the shift of attention from synthetic drugs to natural plant
products reported by Dada and Ikuerowo (2009). At least 35,000 plant species have
been recognized (Kong et al., 2003) and large proportion have been used
for the treatment of several human ailments for thousands of years (Yakubu et
al., 2007).
Of interest, are
the therapeutic uses of Carica Papaya -commonly known as pawpaw. In Nigeria,
Carica papaya is one of the most popular, cheapest economically
important fruit tree grown and consumed for its nutritional content (Baiyewu
and Amusa, 2005). According to available literature, every drug is associated
with hepatotoxicity almost certainly due to its ability to generate free
radicals and to cause disturbance in hepatocyte biochemistry (Fernandez- Checa
and Kaplowitz, 2005). Hence, Carica Papaya like other drugs is
metabolized by the liver and if this be the case, carica papaya may
subject the liver to a variety of diseases and disorders reference to the fact
of Fernandez- Checa and Kaplowitz, (2005) stated above.
Consequently,
this study is aimed to investigate the effect of Carica papaya seeds on
the histology of the liver (the organ which metabolises substances ingested by
man).
ASN-PH-020919
ISSN: 2315-537X
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