Antiinflammatory activity of the methanolic extract of the seeds of Carica papaya in experimental animals

Objective: To scientifically verify the claims of our traditional healers on the anti-inflammatory activity of Carica papaya (C. papaya) and possibly deduce its activities. Methods: 0.1 mL of fresh egg albumin was injected into the right hind-paw of adult white Wistar rats to induce inflammation an hour post intraperitoneal (IP) administration of 50-200 mg/kg doses of the extract to 3 groups of 5 rats per group. The 4th group of 5 rats was used as negative control and received 2 mL/kg (IP) of physiological saline, while the 5th group of 5 rats was used as positive-comparative control and received (IP) 150 mg/kg of aspirin. Increases in diameter of the paw were measured with the aid of Veneer Calipers before extract administration and at interval of 30 minutes post administration for further 2 hours. Percentage inhibition of oedema was calculated for each dose group and results were subjected to statistical analysis using student t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: All doses of extract showed a dose and time dependent inhibition effects of oedema (P＜0.05). Conclusions: This work is at present though limited to animals, the anti-inflammatory activity of the seeds of C. papaya is perhaps proven.