In an attempt to mobilize indigenous healthcare knowledge, we carried out an acute and chronic oral toxicity study on the aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts of Carica papaya (CP) in Wistar rats. Pawpaw (Carica papaya L.)is a popular fruit tree of tropical origin. The fruits serve as fruits and vegetables worldwide. Its reported ethnomedical uses include the treatment of anemia, diabetes mellitus, intestinal helminthiasis, malaria, diarrhea, jaundice and wounds. Acute oral toxicity study of the extracts of CPup to a dose of 5gKg-1BW was studied in mice. Sub-acute (aqueous and ethanol extract) and sub-chronic oral toxicity (aqueous only) were carried out on 18 groups of 6 ratseach, at doses of 0.25gKg-1, .5gKg-1 and 1gKg-1BW. Control groups received water and corn oil respectively. At the end of the experiments, rats were sacrificed and hematological parameters, plasma biochemical parameters and histopathological examination were carried out. No deaths or signs of acute oral toxicity were recorded. Observations after oral sub-acute and sub-chronic toxicity includedhypoglycemia, hypolipidemiaand hyperglycemia, increased AST, BUN values in aqueous and ethanol extract experimentations respectively. CPshowed no oral acute toxicity. Aq. Extract is hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic whereas the ethanol extract showed signs of liver and kidney toxicity at high doses, which was confirmed after histopathological examination. The aqueous extract showed lesser toxicity than the ethanol extract.
