Antimutagenic and Anticytotoxic Activity of Carica Papaya Leaf Extracts

Carica papaya, a member of the family Caricaceae, is commonly known for its food and nutritional value throughout the world. During last few decades considerable progress has been achieved regarding the biological activity and medicinal application of papaya and now it is considered as valuable neutraceutical fruit plant. The present study was designed to determine the antimutagenic and anticytotoxic activities of different fractions (Aqueous, Chloroform, Ethanol and Ethyl acetate extracts) of Carica papaya leaves. Antimutagenic activity was determined by the Allium cepa root chromosomal assay using Cyclophosphamide monohydrate as the mutagenic agent and anticytotoxic activity of the extracts was evaluated by determination of mitotic index. All the four fractions displayed significant antimutagenic and anticytotoxic activities against cyclophosphamide-induced chromosomal aberrations and alltogether, the results of our study lend pharmacological credence to the anti-cancerous and ethnomedical use of this plant in traditional system of medicine and these results could be used to develop antimutagenic compounds for cancer therapy.