Carica papaya

Carica papaya is a widely recognized medicinal plant commonly employed in traditional medicine for the management of diverse health conditions. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition and sub-acute toxicological effects of C. papaya leaf ethanol extract in female Wistar rats. The leaves were collected, authenticated, and subjected to qualitative phytochemicai screening, which revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, cyanogenic glycosides, and anthraquinones, while tannins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, and triterpenes were absent. For the toxicological assessment, rats were orally administered C. papaya leaf extract at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg daily for 28 days. Hematological analysis indicated mild modulation of immune parameters, with dose-dependent decreases in WBC and lymphocyte counts and increased neutrophils, while RBC indices remained stable. Biochemical assays revealed no significant alterations in renal (urea, creatinine) and liver (AST, ALT, ALP,bilirubin) markers, and serum protein levels were unaffected. Electrolyte profiles showed minor changes in potassium and bicarbonate levels without evidence of overt toxicity. Histopathological evaluation of major organs, including liver, kidney, spleen,lungs, heart, and uterus, demonstrated preserved architecture, with only minor adaptive cellular changes, such as slight hepatocyte enlargement and increased lymphoid follicle size in the spleen. Overall, sub-acute administration of C. papaya leaf ethanol extract at the tested doses exhibited no severe toxicity, suggesting that it is generally safe and may confer protective effects on multiple organ systems. These xii findings provide scientific support for the traditional use of C. papaya and warrant further pharmacological investigation