ABSTRACT

 The redox status and lipid profile of alloxan-induced diabetic rats were evaluated before and after induction of diabetes, and following induction with graded doses of methanol extract of Carica papaya. The rats were placed in 8 groups of 5 rats each: groups 1-8. Group Irats were allowed unlimited access to water and feed only. Group 2 rats were not treated with any of glibenclamide and extract, while group 3 rats received 30mg/kg body weight (bw) of glibenclamide after induction. Mean LDL and HDL levels in groups 3-7 displayed an inverse relationship of elevation and depression respectively, but there were no significant differences in their levels with respect to group 1 (feed and water only), group 2 (of alloxan but no treatment) and goup 8 that received lOOOmg/kg body weight (bw) of the paw-paw extract. Significant differences in mean triacylglycerol and cholesterol levels were not observed (p> 0.05) in all the groups studied. Significant elevations in mean glucose levels were observed in groups 2,5 and 6 while other groups showed no significant difference (p>0.05) relative to group 1. Glutathione peroxidase and catalase levels did not differ significantly from that of group 1 except in group 3 that received the standard drug (glibenclamide). Reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase levels did not differ significantly in all the groups. The same pattern of invariation occurred in mean malondialdehyde and vitamin E, but in vitamin C, only the rats in group 8 showed a significant lowering of its mean level. In conclusion, the methanol extract of Carica papaya used in this study maintained both the lipid and antioxidant vitamins and enzyme at beneficial levels.