Protective effects of Carica papaya Linn on the exogenous gastric ulcer in rats.

The effects of Carica papaya Linn on exogenous ulcer and histamine-induced acid secretion were studied in rats. The latex of the unripened fruit of C. papaya was effective in protecting the exogenous ulcer. It significantly lessened the acid secretion induced by intravenous infusion of histamine in chronic gastric fistulated rats. Crystalline papain was also effective in protecting the exogenous ulcer and in decreasing the histamine-induced acid secretion in rats. The conclusion is that papain is the active principle in C. papaya that exerts the ulcer-protective effect.