The effect of aqueous leaves extract of Carica papaya (Linn) on some liver enzymesi.e; alanine aminotransferase ALT, aspartate aminotransferase AST, and alkaline phosphatase ALP, wasinvestigated.The phytochemical screening of the leaves extract of C.papaya was carried out at the beginning of the study. Albino rats weighing between 73-93g, of both sexes were used for the study.Caricapapaya2 ml of 0.11 g/ml aqueous leaves extract was orally administered daily to each of the experimental rats for 7 and 14 days period of the study respectively,using stomach canula and the parameters were of liver function analysed using standard methods.The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids,glycosides,saponins,phenols,flavonoids,proteins.The result also indicated that, the leaves extract of Carica papaya (pawpaw) causes a significant increase(p0.05) in all the parameters of liver function under the study. Therefore, it was was concluded that the aqueous leaves extract of Carica papaya might caused acute toxicity to the liver if consumed in large quantity and it also appeared to have no chronic toxicity.
TABLES OF CONTENTS
Title Page.......................................................................................................................i
Declaration.....................................................................................................................ii
Certification..................................................................................................................iii
Dedication.....................................................................................................................iv
Acknowlodgement.........................................................................................................v
Table of Content............................................................................................................vi
List of Tables..................................................................................................................x
Abstract.........................................................................................................................xi
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction.............................................................................................................1
1.1 Justification of the Study........................................................................................2
1.2Aim and Objectives..................................................................................................3
1.2.1 Aim.......................................................................................................................3
1.2.2 Objectives.............................................................................................................3
1.3Significance of the Study.........................................................................................3
1.4 Scope/Limitation of the Study................................................................................3
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review.....................................................................................................4
2.1 Phytochemical Contents...........................................................................................4
2.2 Occurance.................................................................................................................4
2.3 Taxonomy.................................................................................................................5
2.4 Medicinal Uses of Carica papaya Plants............................................................5
2.4.1 Uses of Carica papaya Leaves.............................................................................5
2.5 The Liver.................................................................................................................6
2.5.1 Functions of the Liver.....................................................................................6
2.6 Toxicity...................................................................................................................7
2.6.1 Defination of Toxicity...........................................................................................7
2.6.2 Types of Toxicity.................................................................................................7
2.6.3 Mechanism of Drug-induced Liver Injury...........................................................7
2.7 Biomarkers of Liver Toxicity..................................................................................8
2.7.1 Aspartate Aminotransferase..................................................................................8
2.7.2 Alanine Aminotransferase.....................................................................................8
2.7.3 Alkaline Phosphatase...........................................................................................9
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Materials and Methods..........................................................................................10
3.1 Materials................................................................................................................10
3.1.1Plants Materials....................................................................................................11
3.1.2Experimental Animals..........................................................................................11
3.1.3Experimental Design...........................................................................................11
3.2 Methods.................................................................................................................12
3.2.1 Preparation of Carica papaya Leaves Powder....................................................12
3.2.2 Preparation of the Leaves Extract......................................................................12
3.2.3 Administration of the Leaves Extract ................................................................12
3.3 Blood Sample Collection......................................................................................13
3.4 Preparation of Blood Sample for Biochemical Analysis.......................................13
3.5PhytochemicalScreening Method..........................................................................13
3.6 Preparation of the Reagent for Analysis.................................................................15
3.6.1 Reagent for Analysis of ALP.............................................................................15
3.6.2 Reagent for Analysis of AST/ALT....................................................................16
3.7 Method Used for the Analysis...............................................................................17
3.7.1Plasma Aspartate Aminotransferase Determination............................................17
3.7.2 Plasma Alanine Aminotrnsferase Determination...............................................18
3.7.3 Plasma Alkaline Phosphatase Determination………….....................................19
3.8 Statistical Analysis................................................................................................20
3.8.1Student t-test…………......................................................................................20
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0Results and Discussion...........................................................................................21
4.1 Results...................................................................................................................21
4.2 Discussion.............................................................................................................24
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Conclusion And Recommendations......................................................................27
5.1 Conclusion.............................................................................................................27
5.2 Recommendations...............................................................................................27
Reference................................................................................................................28
Appendices.................................................................................................................33