CARICA PAPAYA EXTRACTS REDUCE TH2 ASSOCIATED CYTOKINES AND ALLERGIC INFLAMMATION IN RAT MODEL OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Abstract

Allergy, termed as an immunological hyperactive disease, is increasing rapidly and carries a considerable global health burden. Considering papaya's medicinal properties, the current study aimed to assess the role of different parts of the papaya in relieving pollen-induced allergic rhinitis symptoms via animal models. Purposely, 48 Sprague Dawley rats were housed in the animal room and divided into six groups. To establish an allergic disease model, rats belonging to the G1 to G5 groups were nasally instilled with 1mg pollen extract mixed in a buffer saline solution. After model establishment, the G3 to G5 groups were given papaya-based extracts. Ultimately at the end of the animals were decapitated, and the results were elaborated under three major sections as per the effect of the papaya-based extracts on the physical and behavioral traits, inflammatory, oxidative, allergic biomarkers, and histopathology of the lungs. The leaf extract and drug-treated group showed a reduction in Th2 associated cytokines and other allergic inflammation biomarkers. The histamine, IgE, IL-4, and IL-5 markers were effectively lowered by the leaves extract compared to the fruit and seed extracts. Additionally, histological examination revealed that leaf extract and Montelukast reversed the cellular infiltration, congestion, and alveolar structural damage. Conclusively, among different treatments, the papaya leaf extract showed prominent results, highlighting its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune modulatory properties. Hence, more trials are needed in the future to ameliorate its dose-dependent effect and underlying genetic mechanisms.