Effects of Aqueous Seed Extract of Ripe Carica papaya on Total Bilirubin and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) in Rats Treated with Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of aqueous seed extract of ripe Carica papaya on total bilirubin (TB) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in rats treated with monosodium glutamate (MSG). Twenty rats were divided into four groups, with five rats per group. The normal control group received water orally, the negative control group received MSG orally, the positive control group received ascorbic acid and MSG orally, and the test group received the aqueous seed extract of ripe Carica papaya and MSG orally. The experimental period was 28 days. The findings revealed that rats given MSG alone had higher levels of TB and AST compared to the normal control group, which suggests liver dysfunction. However, when the aqueous extract of ripe Carica papaya seeds was administered alongside MSG, it significantly reduced these increases, indicating a protective effect on liver health. Similarly, the positive control group that received both ascorbic acid and MSG showed lower TB and AST levels compared to the negative control group, demonstrating the liver-protective properties of ascorbic acid. These results imply that Carica papaya seed extract could offer therapeutic potential in preventing or alleviating liver damage linked to MSG intake.