• 2021-06
• Saliu J.A
• Volume 3, Issue 1

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorder in which there is high blood sugar level in the body over a prolonged period of time. Carica papaya is one of the medicinal plant that help in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of Carica papaya seed on sucrose-induced diabetes in Drosophila melanogaster. The flies were grouped into four, the first were the flies treated with normal diet with water, the second with sucrose supplemented diet, the third with aqueous pawpaw seed extract supplemented diet while the fourth group were treated with sucrose and pawpaw seed extract in their diet. After the intake of daily supplemented diet for seven days the flies were homogenized and enzyme activities were determined. The results showed that glucose, triglycerides levels and acetylcholinesterase activity were significantly increased in a sucrose-induced or high sucrose diet group when compared to the control while it was observed that total thiol level was reduced significantly when compared to the control group. The reduction in glucose and triglyceride levels, alteration in enzyme activity and enhancement of the total thiol level of aqueous extract of Carica papaya seed on sucrose-induced diabetes in Drosophila melanogaster might be considered as the mechanisms of its antidiabetic action.