World Journal of Medical Sciences 3 (2): 89-92, 2008 ISSN 1817-3055 © IDOSI Publications, 2008 Corresponding Author: T. Oduola, Department of Haematology, Special Investigations Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University, Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria 89 Ingestion of Aqueous Extract of Unripe Carica Papaya Has No Adverse Effect on Kidney Function T. Oduola, F.A.A. Adeniyi, E.O. Ogunyemi, I.S. Bello and T.O. Idowu 1 2 3 4 5 Department of Haematology, Special Investigations Unit, 1 Obafemi Awolowo University, Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria 2 Department of Chemical Pathology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria 3 Department of General Medical Practice, Obafemi Awolowo University, 4 Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, 5 Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria Abstract:Aqueous extract of unripe Carica papaya is being used traditionally as an antisickling agent by some sickle cell patients in Western Nigeria. Investigation into effects of ingestion of the extract on kidney functions in sickle cell patients of different age groups, 2 to < 6 years (x 5.2), 6 to <12 years (x 9.7) and 12 years and above (x 21.4) was conducted using standard techniques. The plasma levels of sodium (Na ), potassium (K ), chloride + + (Cl-), bicarbonate (HCO ) urea, creatinine, uric acid and calcium before ingestion of the extract and throughout -3 the study period were within the reference range. It was concluded from the results obtained that the extract of unripe Carica papaya has no harmful effect on kidney functions. Key words: Antisickling agent Sickle cell patient Kidney function Unripe Carica papaya INTRODUCTION polymerization of deoxygenated HbS is the primary The kidney is the chief regulator of all body fluids sickle-cell disease. It is dependent on intraerythrocytic and is primarily responsible for maintaining homeostasis, HbS concentration, degree of cell deoxygenation, pH or equilibrium of fluid and electrolytes in the body. The and the intracellular concentration of HbF [4]. kidney main functions are urine formation, regulation of The polymer is a rope-like fibre that aligns with others acid-base balance, excretion of waste products of protein to form a bundle, distorting the red cell into classic metabolism, protein conservation and hormonal function crescent or sickled forms. These shapes interfere with a [1, 2]. critical erythrocyte feature; its deformability [5]. These Nephrons are lost via toxic, anoxic, or immunological rigid sickle cells are responsible for the vaso-occlusive injury that may initially injure the glomerulus, the phenomenon that are characteristic of this disorder. The tubule or both together. Glomerular damage can involve presence of other haemoglobins in the red blood cell, endothelial, epithelial, or mesangial cells and/or the such as haemoglobin F, haemoglobin A, haemoglobin C basement membrane [2]. and haemoglobin D, in that order, has antisickling effect Sickle cell disease is a life-long haemolytic anaemia on the polymerization of HbS [6, 7]. caused by a single point mutation in the beta ( ) chain of The aqueous extract of unripe Carica papaya has haemoglobin (Hb). A single nucleotide substitution (GTG been reported to posses antisickling properties [8] and it for GAG) in the sixth codon of the globin gene results in is being used as an antisickling agent by some sickle cell the substitution of valine for glutamic acid on the surface patients in Western Nigeria. The minimum concentration of the variant-globin chain [3]. This change allows HbS to of the extract that achieved maximum antisickling effect polymerize when deoxygenated, since valine can dock was established to be 1g/ml of saline and the antisickling the complimentary sites on adjacent globin chains. The agent was found to reside in the ethyl acetate fraction of indispensable event in the molecular pathogenesis of