Abstract

Arhoghro Ejovwoke Marcellinus*, Eric, Emmauel Uchenna, Berezi E. Peter, Madock Obebinaru Joshua, Agberia Steve Obruche, Owotgwun Kasirotu Levi and Babylon Mercy

ABSTRACT

Pawpaw (Carica papaya) is a widely recognized medicinal plant with diverse therapeutic applications. This research focuses on exploring the potential cardioprotective effects of fermented unripe pawpaw juice in mitigating diclofenac-induced cardiotoxicity in Wistar rats.. Twenty healthy adult female Wistar rats were utilized, with weights ranging from 110g to 200g The rats were allocated into four groups using random assignment:. Group 1 Control group: received distilled water and standard feed , Group 2 Diclofenac group: administered 10mg/kg body weight of diclofenac., Group 3 Diclofenac + Pawpaw extract group: received diclofenac and post-treated with 200mg/kg body weight of fermented unripe Carica papaya juice, andGroup 4 Pawpaw extract group: administered 200mg/kg body weight of fermented unripe Carica papaya juice . The plant extract and diclofenac were orally given over a duration of fourteen (14) days. After the treatment was finished, samples of blood and tissue were collected to analyze cardiac biomarkers, oxidative stress markers, and for histological evaluation. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS veriosn 23 and values with p<0.05 is considered significant. The result revealed a significant increase in LDH, CK, Total Cholesterol, triglyceride and MDA levels, and reduction in SOD, CAT and GSH activities in diclofenac induced rats. However, post treatment with fermented unripe pawpaw (carica papaya) juice causes significant reduction in LDH, CK, Total Cholesterol, triglyceride and MDA levels, and significant increase in SOD, CAT and GSH activities in diclofenac induced rats. The study highlights the potential of fermented unripe pawpaw juice in alleviating diclofenac-induced cardiotoxicity in male rats by mitigating oxidative stress These findings underscore the therapeutic promise of pawpaw as a natural cardioprotective agent, warranting further exploration in clinical settings for potential human applications In conclusion, the study established the ability of fermented unripe pawpaw (Carica papaya) juice in ameliorating diclofenac-induced cardiotoxicity in male rats by reducing oxidative stress.