Item No. 1 of 1

INVESTIGATOR: Siddiqui, R. A.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA 23803

GREEN PAPAYA AS A POTENTIAL SOURCE FOR ANTIDIABETIC AND DIABETIC-WOUND HEALING THERAPY.

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Being overweight or obesity increases the chances of developing the type 2 diabetes. Diabetes and diabetes-related complications are serious problems not only in Virginia, but it is also a regional and national issue in America. The total cost in 2013 for diabetes management was about $245 billion. It is important to reverse/decrease the occurrence of prediabetes and to treat diabetes and its complications with less expensive and less toxic therapies. The goal of this proposal is to identify and characterize active components for anti-diabetic and wound healing properties from green papaya. Papaya has documented anti-obesity and anti-diabetic activity; however, little is known about its cellular and molecular mechanism of actions. The proposed studies are innovative because we will use various cellmodels and examine genesto characterize theeffects of papaya in regulating obesity, diabetes, and wound healing. This will help us understand how components present in papaya reducefat deposition, decrease blood glucose levels, and heal diabetic-associated wounds. These studies will provide us an opportunity for capacity building at VSU to conduct state-of-the-art research in food and nutrition science and to trainundergraduate and graduate students in nutrition science research, preparing them to serve as leaders in food and nutrition science research in the future. This study will provide scientific knowledge to be disseminated to the general public and to farmers about the potential antidiabetic benefits of papaya. This will help encourage the public to consume papaya on a regular basis to reduce or slow down the progression of diabetes in Virginia. The increased use of papaya will encourage farmers to grow this niche crop for additional income. This study will be helpful in developing products to help manage and treat diabetic complications, leading to the reduction of costs associated with diabetes management. This study, therefore, has the potential to contribute to the economies of VSU and the Commonwealth of Virginia in the future.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present proposal is to address a local, regional, and national emerging issue of obesity-linked diabetes and diabetes-related complication. The proposal is indirectly related to NIFA priority area dealing with obesity in general and childhood obesity in particular. The diabetes is a common metabolic complication in majority of obese people. To identify and characterize active components for reducing diabetes and diabetic-wound healing properties from green papaya (Carica papaya) will also advance our knowledge for dealing with obesity-related complications in both children and adults. It will help us reduce the clinical, and economical burden-associated with obesity. The goals of this proposal will be achieved using the following objectives:Objective 1: To perform phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activities of papaya extracts from leaves, seeds, pulp and skin peel fractions.Objective 2: To determine antidiabetic activity of papaya extracts.Objective 3: To determine wound healing properties of papaya extracts