Assessment of Fertility Effect and Hypolipidemic Activity of Carica papaya (Linn) Leaf Methanol Extract in Male Diabetic Rats

Aim: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder that leads to other microvascular and macrovascular complications. Diabetes affects fertility and blood clotting, and also cause impaired lipid profile thus leading to increased atherogenic risks and coronary diseases. This research investigates the effects of Carica papaya leaf methanol extract on fertility indices and lipid profile of male diabetic rats.

Methodology: Male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups of six rats each. Diabetes was induced in the rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were treated orally with 100 and 200 mg/kg C. papaya methanol extract for 14 days. At the end of administration, the plasma glucose concentration and lipid profile were assayed by spectrophotometric methods; seminal analysis was carried out for evaluation of morphology, motility and sperm count under the microscope. The bleeding and clotting times of the rats were also determined.

Results: C. papaya leaf methanol extract caused significant (p = 0.05) reduction in plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL-C, LDL-C, bleeding and clotting times of diabetic treated rats, while the HDL-C of treated groups were significantly (p = 0.05) elevated compared to the diabetic control. Percentage normal cells were lower in diabetic control rats (41.4±4.4%) and C. papaya treated groups (50.0±8.5% for 100 mg/kg; 47.5±9.1% for 200 mg/kg) compared with the normal control group (69.5±5.6%). Similar results were recorded for sperm count. The qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of steroids, anthraquinone, tannin, and other bioactive compounds.

Conclusion: findings from this study indicated that C. papaya leaf methanol extract could possess hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities. Thus, could be considered as a potential source of bio pharmacological agent for management and control of DM and its complications. Prolonged administration of C. papaya leaves may negatively affect male fertility.