Abstract

Gastro protective effects of aqueous Carica papaya seed extract on ethanol induced gastric ulcer were investigated in male rats. Thirty two (32) male rats weighing between 180 and 250 g were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 served as the negative control (distilled water), groups 2 and 3 received 50mg/kg and 100mg/kgCarica papaya seed extract respectively, while group 4 received 200mg/kg cimetidine (positive control). Two weeks after the oral administration, gastric ulcer was induced in all rats with ethanol (1 ml of 80% orally). Gastric juice volume, gastric acidity, ulcer index and percentage ulcer inhibition were determined. The results showed that the extract protected the gastric mucosa against ethanol effect. C. papaya extract significantly reduced the gastric juice volume and gastric acidity (p<0.05) in dose dependent manner when compared with the control. The percentage ulcer inhibition was significantly high (p<0.05) in rats treated with the extract when compared with the control and the effect is similar to that of rats treated with cimetidine. This studyshows that C. papaya seed extract may possess gastro protective effects against ethanol induced gastric ulcer in male rats.

Key words: Carica papaya, gastro protective, gastric ulcer.