Habitat:

Papaya is native to the tropics of the Americas, perhaps from southern Mexico and neighbouring Central America. It is cultivated in tropical regions of India.

Morphological Description:

The papaya is a large, tree-like plant, with a single stem growing from 5 to 10 m (16 to 33 ft) tall, with spirally arranged leaves confined to the top of the trunk. The lower trunk is conspicuously scarred where leaves and fruit were borne. The leaves are large, 50?70 cm (20?28 in) in diameter, deeply palmately lobed, with seven lobes. Unusually for such large plants, the trees are dioecious. The tree is usually unbranched, unless lopped. The flowers are similar in shape to the flowers of the Plumeria, but are much smaller and wax-like. They appear on the axils of the leaves, maturing into large fruit - 15?45 cm (5.9?18 in) long and 10?30 cm (3.9?12 in) in diameter. The fruit is ripe when it feels soft (as soft as a ripe avocado or a bit softer) and its skin has attained an amber to orange hue.

Parts Used:

Fruit, Leaf, Root, Latex, Seeds

Phytochemistry:

Papaya leaves are rich in vitamins - thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2) and ascorbic acid (C). The predominant minerals include Calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, manganese and iron. Besides this, the extract also contains folic acid, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, tannins and anthraquinones. The seed and the latex are rich in proteolytic enzumes, especially Papain while the fruit is a rich source of nutrients such as provitamin A carotenoids, vitamin C, B vitamins, lycopene,dietary minerals and dietary fibre.

Pharmacological Actions:

The primary pharmacological actions of Papaya are summarized as under:

Central Nervous System:

1. The fruit protects the neurones against oxidative stress.1
2. The extract of the epicarp exerts protective action against aluminium-induced neurotoxicity.2

Digestive System:

1. The seeds exert hepatoprotective action whereby they induce significant reduction in elevated levels of Serum Glutamate Oxalate Transferase (SGOT), Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transferase (SGPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Histopathologically, the seed extract causes marked reduction in fatty degeneration in animals.3
2. The mature seeds possess anti-amoebic effect.4
3. Carica papaya leaf may potentially serve as a good therapeutic agent for protection against gastric ulcer and oxidative stress.5
4. The latex exerts antihelminthic activity independent of fasting before the therapy.6
5. Papaya contributes to the maintenance of digestive tract physiology. It ameliorates various functional disturbances, like symptoms of IBS.7

Endocrinal System:

1. The leaf exerts antidiabetic action.8

Reproductive System:

1. The seeds exert uterotonic and anti-fertility action in females. These are usually used in menstruation regulating preparations.

Musculoskeletal System:

1. The seeds exert anti-inflammatory activity.9
2. Th1 (IFN-γ+CD4+)/Th2 (IL-4+CD4+) T cells play a vital role in mediating inflammatory responses and may be regulated by regulatory T cells (Tregs). Effects of Carica papaya on cells of healthy individuals were determined using flow cytometry methods. Significant down-regulation of IFN-γ+CD4+ (p=0.03, n=13), up-regulation of IL-4+CD4+ (p=0.04, n=13) T cells and up-regulation of CD3+CD4+CD25+CD127− (p=0.001, n=15) Tregs were observed after papaya consumption. In vitro cultures showed up-regulation of Tregs in male subjects and was significantly associated with levels of IL-1β in culture supernatants (R2=0.608,p=0.04, n=12). Other inflammatory cytokines were significantly suppressed. Papaya consumption may exert an anti-inflammatory response mediated through Tregs and have potential in alleviating inflammatory conditions.10

Skin and Hair:

1. The latex promotes healing of burn injuries and wounds.11

Others:

1. Papaya Leaf extract exerts significant antipyretic activity in hyperthermia.12
2. The leaf extract possesses antisickling and RBC membrane stabilizing properties in sickle cell anaemia.13
3. The leaf extract possesses significant larvicidal and pupicidal properties against Chikungunya vector, Aedes aegypti, suggestive of an ideal eco-friendly approach for the control of Chikungunya vector, Aedes aegypti.14
4. It is extremely useful against Plasmodium falciparum as well.15
5. Papaya extract possesses anticancer activities.16
6. The leaves exerts significantly immunomodulator and anti-tumor activities.

Indications:

• Hyperacidity, gastritis, peptic ulcers and associated dyspepsia
• Anaemia
• Burning micturition and dysuria
• Lowered immunity with frequent bouts of bacterial and viral infections, especially affecting the respiratory tract
• Dull skin, appearance of premature signs of skin aging, such as fine lines, superficial wrinkles and age spots

References:

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Product Range:

Livlife Capsule , Livlife Syrup , Papaya Tea