Estrogenic Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Papaya Peels (Carica Papaya L.) on Uterine Weight and Mammae Gland Proliferation on Ovariectomy Rats

Abstract

Papaya bark is one of Indonesia's natural wealth that contains flavonoid compounds such as myricetin and kaempferol that included in the phytoestrogen compounds. The aim of this study is to examine the estrogenic effects of ethanolic extract of papaya peels (EEPP), on the development of mammae gland and the increasing of uterine weight. The in vivo test was performed with ovariectomy in Sprague Dawley female rats that caused the rats to be in an estrogen deficiency state. After 30 days of treatment, animals are sacrificed to take the uterus and mammae glands. Measurement of uterine weight and mammae gland are observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining method to know the lobulus development and AgNOR staining to determine the proliferation level of mammae gland epithelial cells. The test results showed that EEPP concentration of 500 and 1000 mg/kgBW were able to increase uterine weight and proliferation of mammae gland. From the results of this study, papaya bark has the potential to be one of the phytoestrogens compound to maintain female reproductive health and woman beauty.Keyword: ethanolic extract of papaya peels (EEPP), phytoestrogen, ovariectomized rats, uterine weight, mammae proliferation