Carica papaya Latex Accelerates Wound Healing in Diabetic Wistar Rats

Aim: The wound healing ability of Carica papaya latex in excisional wound of alloxan induced diabetic wistar rats was investigated.

Methodology: The excisional wounds of 24 diabetic rats in four equal groups were dressed respectively with latex (LD), gentamicin (GD), normal saline (ND) and propylene glycol (PD). A composite four non- diabetic (control) groups were also established (LC, GC, NC, and PC). All the eight groups had daily dressing till healed. Wound dimensions were taken at an interval of four days and obtained values were used to calculate wound contraction rates for specific period. Granulation tissue biopsies taken on day 4, 8 and 12 were processed for light microscopy. The healed scars were also processed for light microscopy.

Results: The latex control (LC) group had the shortest healing period (16 days) while the longest period of 32 days was recorded by the diabetic normal saline (ND) and diabetic propylene glycol (PD) groups. The differences in the healing duration amongst the groups were significant (P < 0.001).

Comparison of highest and lowest wound contraction rates within the same period

The LC group had highest mean wound contraction rate of 21.56±7.04% on day 4 with the PD group being the lowest (6.45±2.32%). Similar pattern was observed on day 8; (LC: 55.71±4.87%) and (ND: 18.98±12.13%). For day 12, the results were LC: 84.86±5.11% and GD: 35.36±17.80%. All these paired values were of statistical significance.

Intra and intergroup comparisons of contraction rates

On day 4, LC had significantly higher contraction rate than LD (21.58±7.04; 11.06±2.82 respectively with P< 0.001). Also results for the same parameter on day 8 and day 12 were significant in LD vs GD (47.48±8.9 vs 21.06±5.83; P<0.001); LD vs ND (47.48±8.94 vs 18.98±12.13; P<0.001); LD vs PD (47.48±8.9 vs 23.12±5.77; P< 0.001) and GC vs GD (42.56±8.61 vs 21.06±5.83; P< 0.001).

Light microscopy of the granulation tissue from all the control groups showed more cellular infiltration than the respective diabetic group which might be due to hyperglycemia.

Conclusion: The study had been able to demonstrate that Carica papaya latex promotes wound healing in diabetic wistar rats. Possible mechanisms through which this was achieved include amelioration of the inhibitory effect of diabetes mellitus on wound healing, increased rapidity of wound contraction and reduction in the duration of healing.

From the results of this study, the latex of Carica papaya appeared superior to gentamicin, normal saline and propylene glycol as materials for wound management in diabetic wistar rats.

Latex is naturally occurring and its source (Carica papaya) is easily cultivated, readily available, affordable and cannot be adulterated.

It may thus be considered as an alternative to the synthetic materials in the current management of wounds in patients with diabetes mellitus.