Phytochemical screening and effects of methanol extract of Carica papaya stem bark in alloxan induced diabetic rats

The phytochemical screening and hypoglycemic effect of Carica papaya stem bark in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats was investigated. Phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract of Carica papaya revealed the presence of steroids, phenolics, glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and tannins. The hypoglycemic activity of the same extract of Carica papaya stem bark was compared with that of a known antidiabetic standard drug-glibenclamide in alloxan induced diabetic rat models. There was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose concentration (mg/dl) by the methanolic extract of Carica papaya stem bark (500mg/kg bw) and glibenclamide (0.6mg/kg bw) from 388.21 ± 17.40 to 103.25 ± 6.79 and 365.00 ± 15.98 to 95.50 ± 3.96 respectively. The blood glucose of the induced diabetic but non treated rats increased from 307.50 ± 22.35 to 509.45 ± 50.57 while for non-induced rats, no significant changes were observed. The extract and the standard drug also prevented further body weight loss in treated diabetic rats compared to the untreated. The purpose of this study is to ascertain scientifically, the claim that the plant part has antidiabetic potentials. The results obtained from this study indicate that the methanolic extract of Carica papaya contains bioactive substances with hypoglycemic potency. Thus, providing scientific link for the plant part to be processed for oral hypoglycemic remedy.