The Median Lethal Dose (LD50) and Phytochemical Constituents of Methanol Extract of Caric papaya Leaves

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Carica papaya L. which belongs to the family caricaceae, is a plant that was known for its medicinal use for years. This study was carried out to determine the median lethal dose of Carica papaya leaves methanolic extract in albino rats. Fresh leaves of Carica papaya were extracted using methanol as the solvent. Phytochemical analysis was conducted using qualitative procedure. Lorke’s method was used to study the acute toxicity using both oral and intraperitoneal routes. The acute toxicity for oral route showed that the LD50 was greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight while, the intraperitoneal route was 2154 mg/kg body weight. The Carica papaya leaf extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, cardenolides, saponins, and phytosterols, while anthraquinones, phlobatannins and tannins were absent. In conclusion, the leaves of Carica papaya contains bioactive phytochemical constituents that could have clinical potential with safe medicinal properties.