Papaya: A gifted nutraceutical plant - a critical review of recent human health research

Abstract

The plant kingdom is considered to be a repository of modern medicine, attributable to their rich source of bio-active molecules and secondary metabolites. It is indeed the Nutraceuticals that enhance immunity and ensure a healthier life because of their prophylactic and therapeutic values. Over centuries, papaya [Caricaceae; (Carica papaya Linn.)] is a renowned nutritious and medicinal plant. Each part of the papaya like root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, seed, rinds, and latex has its own nutraceutical properties. It serves as food, cooking aid, and Ethnomedicine to prevent and treat wide-range of diseases and disorders. It has also been traditionally used as appetite enhancer, meat tenderizer, purgative, medicinal acne, abortifacient and vermifuge. Over decades, a series of scientific attempts were made to authenticate the nutraceutical properties of papaya. These studies validated that the papaya has antiplasmodial, antitrichochramal, antitrichomonal, antidengue, and anti-cancer activities. They have also exhibited that papaya possesses antiseptic, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and contraceptive features, and it helps in the management of sickle-cell anaemia, HIV, heart diseases and digestional disorders too. Nevertheless, the responsible bio-active molecules and their mode of actions remain indistinct and imprecise, and this calls for further pharmacological and clinical research on them. Conclusively, papaya is one of the naturally gifted plants; though its nutraceutical properties as a food or as a quasi-drug are poorly understood or undervalued by people. Accordingly, this scrutiny, demand for instigation of public health awareness campaigns to promote papaya consumption, so that the society shall acquire optimal benefits of papaya and in turn prevent and alleviate various diseases and illness.

Physicochemical, Nutraceutical and Sensory Traits of Six Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Cultivars Grown in Greenhouse Conditions in the Mediterranean Climate

“…The visual appearance, which is often associated with the product's quality, is the first factor that influences the consumer to make a purchase, followed by physicochemical and nutraceutical characteristics when the product is consumed. Generally, pulp has a high sugar content, containing about 10 g of carbohydrates per 100 g of fresh pulp [6], is also rich in minerals such as potassium and magnesium, in vitamin B and is a good source of antioxidant phytocomponents. Moreover, it contains about 60 mg of ascorbic acid, polyphenolic compounds and is one of the richest fruits in carotenoids [6].…”

“…Generally, pulp has a high sugar content, containing about 10 g of carbohydrates per 100 g of fresh pulp [6], is also rich in minerals such as potassium and magnesium, in vitamin B and is a good source of antioxidant phytocomponents. Moreover, it contains about 60 mg of ascorbic acid, polyphenolic compounds and is one of the richest fruits in carotenoids [6]. The main carotenoids that have been identified are lycopene, β-criptoxanthin and β-carotene [7].…”

Ten commonly available medicinal plants in Malaysia used for cosmetic formulations – A review

“…Papaya also shows its excellent wound healing properties and skin-repairing abilities. The topical application of papaya on a burned skin may reduce tissue necrosis, can avoid infection and promotes wound healing (Karunamoorthi et al, 2014). Traditionally, papaya has been used in treating many skin problems such as soft tissues injury and infections on the skin (Parle and Gurditta, 2011).…”

A Review on Medical Advantages and Chemical Constituents of Carica Papaya Linn.

“…Antisickling activity [44][45][46][47] Among the leaf, stem, and root separates, the leaf remove is found to display more antimicrobial movement than the stem and root.…”