Effect Of The Ethanol Extract Of The Leaves Of Carica Papaya On Red Blood Cell (Rbc) Count Of Aspirin-Ulcerated Rats:- Agbo Chidinma E

ABSTRACT vi The qualitative phytochemical constituents, acute toxicity and lethality and effect of the ethanol extract of the leaves of C. papaya on red blood cell (RBC) count of aspirin-ulerated rats were determined using standard methods. The qualitative phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, glycosides, proteins, steroids, terpenoids and fats and oil. Resins, reducing sugars and acidic compounds were not detected in the extract. The extract was found to be safe even at a dose as high as 5000 mg/kg body weight (b.w).The extract at the tested doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kgb.w) significantly (p <0.05) and dose-dependently increased the red blood cell count of the rats in the test groups compared to the value obtained for the rats in the ulcer-untreated group. These imply that the leaves of C. papaya may serve as origin of anti-ulcer drug(s) in future.