ANTITUSSIVE AND EXPECTORANT PROPERTIES OF MALE PAPAYA FLOWERS (CARICA PAPAYA L.) ON MICE

Carica papaya is a plant originating from America that was introduced to Vietnam a long time ago, with the main purpose of being a fruit tree. Though it is also used in traditional medicine for some diseases. This study aimed to scientifically validate the traditional use of male papaya flowers for their antitussive (cough-suppressing) and expectorant properties. The results showed that the ethanol extract of male papaya flowers at a dose of 400 mg/kg had a significant antitussive effect compared to the model group in the ammonia-induced cough model (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the extract at both doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg showed the expectorant effect by increasing the phenol red level secreted from the mouse trachea (37.9% and 26.1%, respectively, compared to the model group). Thus, the ethanol extract of male papaya flowers possesses expectorant activities and potential in the treatment of cough.