Effects of Aqueous Methanolic Extract of Unripe Carica Papaya Fruit on Midterm Pregnancy in Wistar Albino Rats

摘要

This study investigated the effects of aqueous methanolic extract of unripe Carica papaya (AMEUCP) on midterm pregnancy in rats. The unripe papaya fruits were extracted by cold marceration. The abortifacient effect of AMEUCP was studied using mature albino rats (15 females and 8 males). Successfully mated rats were separated and classified into three (3) groups (n=5). Group I (control) received 0.5 ml of distilled water while groups II and III received AMEUCP at 450 and 900 mg/kg respectively from the 10th to 12th day of pregnancy and were closely observed for signs of abortion. They were sacrificed on their 20th day of pregnancy and the viable and non-viable fetuses, adsorbing sites and corpora lutea were counted. Data obtained from the study were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Variant means were separated using the Duncan's multiple range test and significance was accepted at p < 0.05. This study demonstrated that oral administration of the extract to successfuly mated rats induced abortion and was embryotoxic The mean live foetal number (LFN) and the mean day 20 foetal crown rump length (FCRL) in the AMEUCP treated groups were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those of the control. Therefore, consumption of unripe papaya fruits and its products by man and animals should be done with caution especially during the breeding season or during pregnancy.