Growth and Spatial Memory Responses to Carica papaya Leaf Extract in a Diet-Induced Stunting Mouse Model

Abstract

Stunting is a multifactorial growth disorder that is frequently accompanied by persistent cognitive impairment, driven by nutritional deficiency, oxidative stress, and altered neurodevelopment. This study explored the phytochemical quality and biological response patterns associated with Carica papaya leaf extract using a diet-induced stunting mouse model. Papaya leaves were authenticated and extracted with 70% ethanol, followed by phytochemical profiling and quality assessment. Stunted mice were allocated to untreated, zinc-supplemented, and extract-treated groups, while a normal group served as reference. Somatic growth outcomes, including body weight and body length, were monitored alongside behavioral performance assessed through sensorimotor adaptation, spatial learning, and memory retention using the Morris water maze paradigm. Across the observation period, mice receiving C. papaya leaf extract displayed consistent catch-up growth trends relative to untreated stunted controls, with growth trajectories directionally similar to those observed in zinc-supplemented animals. In behavioral assessments, extract-treated mice showed observable trends toward improved task adaptation, progressive reductions in escape latency during spatial learning, and preserved performance during memory retention trials. These patterns appeared distinct from the negative control group and broadly aligned with the reference groups, although substantial inter-individual variability was noted. Taken together, the findings describe biologically meaningful response patterns suggesting that C. papaya leaf extract may hold potential to support somatic growth recovery and cognitive function in nutritionally compromised conditions. Given the exploratory nature of this study and the absence of inferential statistical testing, the results should be interpreted as descriptive trends that warrant further investigation using larger cohorts and confirmatory analytical designs.