Effect Of The Ethanol Extract Of The Leaves Of Carica Papaya On Aspirin-Induced Gastric Ulcer In Rats:- Akpan Akwaeno D

ABSTRACT v In human history, numerous plants have been the bases for medical treatment and such plants are still widely in use today such as the leaves of Caricapapaya. The objectives ofthis work were to determine the phytochemical constituents, acute toxicity and lethality and effects of the ethanol extract of the leaves of C. papaya on ulcer index and curative ratio. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that the extract contained alkaloids flavonoids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, glycosides, proteins, steroids, terpenoids and fats and oil but resins, reducing sugars and acidic compounds were not detected in the extract. The extract at the tested doses [100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (b.w)] caused significant (p < 0.05) and dosedependent decreases in the ulcer indices of the rats in the test groups compared to the value obtained for the rats in the control group. The mean curative ratios of the extract were remarkable and dose-dependent. The effects of the extract at the dose of 400 mg/kg b.w were comparable to those of the standard anti-ulcer drug, ranitidine at the dose of 150 mg/kg b.w. In conclusion, the experimental data justify the use ofthe leaves of C. papaya in folk medicine for the cure of gastric ulcer.