Avaliação do efeito do extrato das folhas do mamoeiro (Carica papaya L.) sobre o dano hepático induzido por paracetamol

Abstract

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is widely used in folk medicine for its many therapeutic properties. Its leaves present important substances as phenolic compounds, alkaloids, vitamins, minerals, among others. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract (EXT) of the leaves of Carica papaya L. (CPL) in the liver of male Swiss mice subjected to oxidative stress induced by acetaminophen (PCM). For this, the following analyzes were performed: protein carbonylation, TBARS activity of enzymatic antioxidants (CAT, SOD and GST) and non-enzymatic (GSH and ASA), and some biochemical parameters of the plasma (ALT, AST, cholesterol, glucose and alkaline phosphatase). Therefore, the animals (eight animals per group) were subjected to the following treatments: Group 1 (negative control) - filtered water for 7 days; Group 2 - PCM (250 mg / kg) single dose + CPL aqueous extract (500 mg / kg) for 7 days; Group 3 - CPL aqueous extract (500 mg / kg) for 7 days; Group 4 (positive control) - PCM (250 mg / kg) in single dose + water for 7 days. After 24 h after treatment, the animals were sacrificed and plasma and livers were extracted. The liver damage caused by PCM was evidenced by the increase of ALT, AST and ALP in the plasma, increased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation in addition to the decrease in the action of antioxidants important (CAT, GST, ASA and GSH). The results showed that the administration of the aqueous extract caused a significant damage reduction CPL such damage through increased levels of GST in the treated groups, especially with regard to the reduction of protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation, indicating reversal of structures degeneration mobile phones, as well as by significant reduction in serum levels of ALT and AST in the plasma and that the extract was able to attenuate the tissue. Moreover, we found that the extract was effective in reducing serum levels of glucose, cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase in the EXT group, and these last two effects together, suggest a possible antilipemic action prophylactic influence, requiring the development of more studies on the subject, to prove or not, of this hypothesis. Therefore, we conclude that the aqueous extract of Carica papaya L. is able to practice significant actions with antioxidant effects, however, the development of new research is required in order to describe in more detail about its likely antioxidant potential.