TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL USE OF PAPAYA ( CARICA PAPAYA L. )

Abstract

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a perennial plant and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is a rich source of antioxidants vitamin A, B, C, flavonoids, potassium, magnesium and low in calories. It contains proteolytic enzymes like papain and chymopapain. Papain is extracted from unripened fruit and used in industry for making toothpaste, shampoo, facial cream, chewing gum and in food processing as meat tenderiser and for coagulating the milk. In India, papaya is regarded as a medicinal plant in the Ayurvedic literature. All parts of papaya such as seeds, fruit, pulp, root and leaves have medicinal importance. Leaves extract used for the treatment of dengue fever, reduce blood glucose level, inhibit cancer cell growth, help in digestion and anti-inflammatory activity. Fruit pulp of papaya is used to cure ulcer, pimples, burns and reduce blood pressure. Seeds possess anti-fertility, anti-helminthic activity and used as a substitute for black pepper. Papaya peel is used to rebuild damaged skin. Papaya contains phenolic compounds, glucosinolates, alkaloids (carpain and pseudocarpain), flavonoids and tannins. In-vitro anti-diabetic, anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial and anti-hypoglycemia potential of papaya was determined by techniques such as flow cytometer, gas and high performance liquid chromatography, etc., to justify the traditional medicinal use of papaya plant.