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Browsing Masters Projects and Theses by Subject "antioxidant activity"

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    Quantitative phytochemical composition, antipyretic and antioxidative effects of methanolic leaf and root extracts of Carica papaya Linn.
    (Chuka University, 2025) Tarus, Everlyne Jebiwott
    Antipyrexia and oxidative stress-related conditions are significant global health issues due to their widespread impacts on human health and well-being. Fever is mostly triggered by infectious stimuli and is characterized with increase in temperatures typically above the normal range for human, (36.5–37.5 °C). Currently, fever is treated with traditional methods such as active cooling and conventional medications such as Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol. It has been documented that NSAIDs have adverse effects on the cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, and gastric mucosa systems. On the other hand, oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of a many chronic and degenerative disorders. Conventional antioxidants have been reported to be less effective and relatively expensive. Due to these draw backs, there is a need to research for alternative method for the management of fever and oxidative stress, including the use of herbal medicines. Carica papaya has been known to be used traditionally in treating fever and conditions associated with oxidative stress, but concrete evidence on its medicinal value is limited. Thus, this study evaluated phytochemical profiles, antipyretic and antioxidative effects of methanolic leaf and root extracts of Carica papaya. Leaves and roots of C. papaya were collected from Karingani ward, Chuka-Igambang’ombe sub-county, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The plant materials were extracted methanol. Quantitative phytochemical screening was done using GC-MS. The in-vivo antipyretic activities of the extract were screened in thirty male white albino Wistar rats weighing 90-150g. Turpentine was used to induce fever in rats. Antioxidant activity of the methanol leaf and root extracts was evaluated using non-enzymatic antioxidant assays. The GC–MS analysis of methanolic root and leaf extracts of Carica papaya revealed the bioactive phytochemicals incluiding flavonoids (quercetin) phenolic(caffeic),terpenes and terpenoids (squalene, myrcene), vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), fatty acid (n-hexadecanoic), and alkaloids (reserpinine). The methanolic root and leaf extracts of Carica papaya showed dose and time-dependent antipyretic activity. The temperature reduction of the root extract in the first hour was 1.15%, 1.77%, and 2.20% and second hour 3.83%, 4.32%, and 4.30% (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg; respectively, comparable to paracetamol (1.57%, 3.72% in the first and second hour respectively. At the third and fourth hours, reductions reached 5.25%, 5.68%, and 5.08%, and 5.20%, 5.84%, and 5.13%, respectively, statistically similar to paracetamol (4.82% in the third hour and 5.30% in the fourth hour). The leaf extract percentage reduction in the first hour was 0.73%, 1.87%, and 1.57%, (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg; respectively, comparable to paracetamol (1.57%). At the second hour, significant decreases of 2.50%, 4.22%, and 3.93% were observed, with the higher doses showing effects similar to the positive control (3.72%). By the third hour, the extract reduced by 3.77%, 4.70%, and 4.77%, and paracetamol (4.82%). At the fourth hour, the reductions were 4.25%, 5.16%, and 5.30%, and statistically comparable to the positive control (5.30%). The root extract showed greater antipyretic effects as compared the leaf extract at lower doses. At higher doses both extracts were similarly effective. Carica papaya indicated in vitro antioxidant effects in all the tested non-enzymatic assays. The results from the study indicates that C. papaya is a potent natural therapeutic alternative for management of fever and oxidative stress related conditions.