EVALUATION OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF Caricas papaya SEEDS AS ANTI-RADICALAR AND ON RATS HEPATIC PARAMETERS

Abstract

The liver is the main biotransform organ, with high activity of body antioxidant enzymes and is part of most detoxification process. During this process diferent types of toxic metabolites can be originated and triggering pathological effects. The paracetamol is a medication with potential hepatotoxicity when ingested in high doses. The current study has as objective determinate the antioxidants effects of papaya seeds and evaluate its potential against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity. The extract was prepared with 10% concentration (w/v). The antioxidant potential was evaluated in vitro through the capability of scavenging radicals DPPH, the amount of total phenols was determinated. During the in vivo analysis, were used Wistar rats, that were administered daily papaya seed extract through gavage, 2mL/Kg, for 7 days. The experimental hepatitis was induced by paracetamol (3g.Kg-1). Liver function was determinated by the AST/ALT enzymes. The animals had their liver removed for histopatological analysis. The obtained in vitro results shows a total phenol amount of 19,8173±1,089 µg EAG/100g of extract, the average radical DPPH scavenging activity was 67%. In the group that has recives extracts and paracetamol, the values of AST and ALT was higger than the others. In vivo, the extract demonstrated to potentialize paracetamol effects on the liver, increasing the serum levels of AST/ALT.

Key-words: Drug-induced hepatites; Papaya seeds; Antioxidants; Paracetamol; Natural extracts.