Protective effect of Carica papaya ethanolic leaf extract against lead-induced toxicity in Wistar rats

Introduction Lead poisoning remains a significant public health issue globally, with varied negative health outcomes, particularly in developing countries. Lead is a pervasive environmental pollutant that induces systemic toxicity, largely through oxidative stress resulting from its tissue bioaccumulation and disruption of normal physiological processes in a biological system. Plant-derived chelators and antioxidants may provide low-cost strategies to mitigate Pb-induced damage in both humans and animals. This study was aimed at evaluating the protective effect of Carica papaya leaf ethanolic extract against lead-induced toxicity in Wistar rats. Methods The protective effect of Carica papaya leaf ethanolic extract was evaluated in Wistar rats exposed to Pb – acetate, 50 mg/kg body weight. Thirty animals were assigned to six groups (n = 5) and treated for 30 days with vehicle – double distilled water, Pb – acetate alone, or Pb – acetate in combination with Carica papaya leaf ethanolic extract (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight). Weekly changes in body weight were monitored across all exposure groups. Lead concentrations were then quantified in blood, liver, kidney, and bone tissues. Additionally, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation were evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde levels in liver homogenates for all treatment groups. Results and Discussion Pb – acetate exposure led to significant Pb accumulation in blood, liver, kidney, and bone, as well as increased hepatic malondialdehyde levels ( p