Effect of aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaves on blood glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the change in blood glucose level following administration of aqueous extract of C. papaya leaf in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups having 6 rats in each group. Study was divided into Experiment-1 composed of normal rat groups and Experiment-2 having diabetic rat groups. In Experiment -1 Group A served as control and Group Bwas given papaya leaf extract 200mg/kg/day orally for 14 days. In Experiment-2 Group C and Group D were given intraperitoneal administration of 65mg/kg of STZ for induction of diabetes. Group D received papaya leaf extract 200mg/kg/day orally for 10 days. Fasting blood glucose level was estimated on day 1, day 4 and day 15.Collected data were tabulated & statistical analysis was done by Student's unpaired t test. P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Following administration of papaya leaf extract nondiabetic rat group showed no significant change (p>0.10) in blood glucose level but diabetic rat group showed statistically significant differences (P˂0.001). This indicates that the extract has blood glucose lowering effect on diabetic rats and so may be effective in managing diabetes mellitus.