Sub acute and chronic effects of Carica Papaya on the kidney of rats

Abstract

This study investigates the sub-acute and chronic effects of Carica papaya on the kidney of growing Sprague Dawley rats. A total 40 growing rats (95.0 ± 10.0 grams) within the ages of 7 ± 1weeks were involved in the study. They were divided into eight groups of 5 rats each: A (control; n = 5), B (n = 10), C (n = 10) and D (n = 10). Group A1 and A2 served as the acute and chronic control respectively. Group B1, C1 and D1 served as the subacute test while group B2, C2 and D2 served as the chronic test. The rats received varied doses of powdered Carica papaya seed (6, 8, 10grams). Group A1, B1, C1 and D1 were fed for 3 weeks while Group A2, B2, C2 and D2 were fed for 6 weeks. At the end of each stage, animals were sacrificed and the kidneys were harvested for histological study. The results showed histological distortions in the liver parenchymal architecture in a dose and duration dependent manner. Our findings suggest therefore, that Carica papaya seeds have nephrotoxic potentials and as such, the need for further studies cannot be overemphasized.

Key words: Carica papaya seed, Herb, Sub-acute, Chronic, Nephrotoxic.