EFFECT OF CRUDE METHANOL EXTRACTS, ALKALOID AND FLAVONOID FRACTIONS OF Carica papaya Linn LEAF AND SEED ON ALUMINIUM CHLORIDE-INDUCED ANAEMIC WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Anaemia is a haematological disorder characterized by a reduction in red blood cells or an inadequate oxygen-binding capacity of haemoglobin molecule to transport oxygen to different epithelial tissues and satisfy physiological needs. This study assessed the efficacy of the methanol extracts, alkaloid and flavonoid fractions of the leaves and seeds of Carica papaya in reversing aluminium chloride-induced anaemia and associated complications. Phytochemical, acute toxicity and haematological parameters were evaluated using standard procedures. In the first stage, thirty-five rats were divided into nine groups of three rats each. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were administered with distilled water, AlCl3 and the FeSO4 respectively, groups 4, 5 and 6 were treated with 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg methanol (leaves) extract, while groups 7, 8 and 9 were treated with 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg methanol (seeds) extract respectively. In the second stage of the study, thirty-five rats were divided into eleven groups of three rats each. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were administered with distilled water, AlCl3 and FeSO4 respectively, groups 4 and 5 were treated with 75 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg alkaloid (seeds), groups 6 and 7 were treated with 75 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg flavonoid (seeds), groups 8 and 9 were treated with 75 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg alkaloid (leaves), while groups 10 and 11 were treated with 75 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg flavonoid (leaves) respectively. Methanol extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins and tannins. Saponins had the highest concentrations (1249.83±13.05 and 723.65±0.39 mg/g) for the leaves and seeds respectively, followed by phenols (261.34±1.07 and 171.45±0.91 mg/g) and alkaloids (67.75±1.06 and 35.42±0.50 mg/g) and tannins (45.25±0.46 and 40.67±0.50 mg/g) and flavonoids (34.89±0.66 and 25.80±0.99 mg/g). The methanol extract had LD50 value >5000 mg/kg bodyweight in rats. The results obtained showed that the methanol leaves and seeds extracts of C. papaya significantly improved red blood cell count (10.88±0.50 and 10.66±0.85 1012/L), haemoglobin (14.35±0.45 and 13.65±0.15 g/dL), packed cell volume (47.00±0.50 and 40.00±0,00 %), White blood cell count (9.40±1.00 and 6.50±0.10 109/L), platelet count (423.50±40.00 and 556.50±85.50 109/L), mean cell volume (58.00±6.00 and 51.00±0.00 fL), mean cell haematocrit (18.00±0.00 and 16.50±1.50 pg) and mean cell haematocrit count (34.50±1.50 and 32.50±2.50 g/dL) respectively compared to the nontreated group red blood cell count (5.05±1.25 1012/L), haemoglobin (8.55±1.25 g/dL), packed cell volume (26.50±3.50 %), White blood cell count (2.50±0.60 109/L), platelet count (434.00±30.00 109/L), mean cell volume (52.00±1.00 fL), mean cell haematocrit (16.00±1.00 pg), and mean cell haematocrit count (31.00±1.00 g/dL). The result obtained in the second stage showed that the flavonoid fractions of C. papaya seeds had no positive effect on haematopoietic system of anaemic rats. Rats treated with alkaloid fraction of C. papaya seeds significantly improved red blood cell count (7.27±0.12 1012/L), haemoglobin (11.93±0.32 g/dL), and packed cell volume (36.00±0.58 %) compared to the non-treated group red blood cell count (5.05±1.25 1012/L), haemoglobin (8.55±1.25 g/dL), and packed cell volume (26.50±3.50 %). Treatment with alkaloid and flavonoid fractions of C. papaya leaves significantly improved red blood cell count (8.76±0.26 and 7.26±0.78 1012/L), haemoglobin (13.46±0.84 and 10.93±0.93 g/dL), and packed cell volume (41.33±2.40 and 35.44±1.55 %) compared to the non-treated group red blood cell count (5.05±1.25 1012/L), haemoglobin (8.55±1.25 g/dL), and packed cell volume (26.50±3.50 %). From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the alkaloid and flavonoid obtained from crude 3

methanol extract of C. papaya leaves may contribute to the observed haematopoietic effects in the experimental animals.