Purpose: To investigate the combined effect of
Carica papaya
extract and mineral elements wound
healing.
Methods: Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and water extracts of unripe
Carica papaya. papaya were
analyzed for mineral element composition (Ca, calcium; Mg, magnesium; Na, sodium; Fe, iron; Mn,
manganese; Zn, zinc; Ag, silver; and Se, selenium) using a microwave-assisted digestion procedure.
Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used for the analysis of the elements. Phytochemical
analysis was conducted using standard protocols. Mice weighing 25 - 30 g were anesthetized, shaved
and inflicted with wound at the dorsal region using a biopsy punch. The mice were treated topically
twice daily with or without 5 mg/ml PBS or water extracts containing 100 or 200 μM Zn2+ or 1.0 or 0.5
μg/g Se2+. The standard (positive control) group was treated with solcoseryl and the negative control
with deionised H
2O. Wound area was monitored with a camera and evaluated by software.
Results: PBS extract formulated with Se2+. (0.5 or 1.0 mg/g) took approximately 9 days for complete
wound healing while negative control took 14 days and other treatment groups least 10 days. PBS
extract contained 9 % protein but no tannin while water extract contained 0.58 % protein and tannins.
Calcium (137.98 mg/100 g extract) constituted the most abundant macro-element while Se (32.14
mg/100 g extract) was the most abundant microelement in
C. papaya pulp.
Conclusion: Addition of selenium to
C. papaya extracts augments the wound healing activity of the
extracts.
