EVALUATION OF CARICA PAPAYA L. EXTRACT AS POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC AGENTS FOR GASTROINTESTINAL ULCERS: PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION, BIOCHEMICAL PROFILLING, AND IN-SILICO EVALUATION

Adeleye Gbenga Sunday, Olalekan Elijah Odesanmi*, Blessing Tolulope Owolabi, Deborah Odunayo Jesusanmi, Wonderful Oluwapamilerin Folayan, Oluwafolakemi Oluwayemisi Jeje, Oluwanifemi Faith Sunmonu, Ebenezer Oluwatobi Ojo, Blessing Oluwatobiloba Ajayi, Ayooluwa Comfort Shotubo, Praise Jesutofunmi Olamakinde, Oluwafemi Alexander Kowe, Kofoworola Grace Omosanu

Introduction: Gastrointestinal ulcers are a significant health concern, and the development of effective and safe treatment options remains a priority. The present study aimed to investigate the potential of Carica papaya leaf extract and its bioactive compounds as therapeutic agents for gastrointestinal ulcers by targeting the key proteins FFAR1, FABP4, PPARA, and PPARD that are associated with the pathogenesis of the disease. Methods: The study began with a comprehensive biochemical analysis of the C. papaya L. extract, including assessments of anti-lipoxygenase (ALOX) activity, protein denaturation (PD) activity, membrane stabilizing activity, and in vitro urease inhibition activity. GC-MS analysis was conducted to identify the bioactive compounds present in the extract, and a clustering analysis was performed to assess the physicochemical properties of these compounds. In silico molecular docking studies were then carried out to evaluate the binding interactions of the identified bioactive compounds with the target proteins. Results: The results demonstrated that the C. papaya L. extract exhibited potent ALOX inhibitory activity, high PD inhibitory activity, significant membrane stabilizing effects, and concentration-dependent urease inhibition. The in silico docking studies revealed that several bioactive compounds, including Octadecanoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester, cis-13-Octadecenoic acid, Phytol, Oleic acid, Benzenepropanoic acid, 3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy- methyl ester, and Diethyl Phthalate, exhibited favorable binding affinities with the target proteins. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide compelling evidence for the therapeutic potential of C. papaya L. extract and its bioactive compounds in the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers. Further in vivo and clinical investigations are warranted to fully elucidate the mechanisms of action and to establish the efficacy of these natural compounds as novel ulcer-healing agents.