Carica papaya (C. papaya)
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Carica papaya Common Names: Papaya, Pawpaw, Papaw, Tree Melon Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Brassicales Family: Caricaceae Genus: Carica Species: C. papaya Synonyms: Carica citriformis Hook.f., Carica hermaphrodita Blanco, Carica jamaicensis Urb., Carica mamaya Vell., Carica peltata Hook. & Arn., Carica portoricensis Urb., Papaya carica Gaertn., Vasconcellea peltata (Hook. & Arn.) A.DC. Morphological Description Carica papaya,
commonly known as papaya or pawpaw, is a fast-growing, semi-woody, herbaceous
perennial, typically 2–10 m tall, with a single, hollow stem bearing leaf
scars. Its key features include: · Stem: Unbranched, 10–30 cm in diameter, light green to brownish,
with milky latex · Leaves: Spirally arranged, palmately lobed, 50–70 cm in diameter,
with 5–9 lobes, petioles 30–100 cm long · Flowers: Dioecious or hermaphrodite, 5-parted, sweet-scented; male
flowers in multiflowered racemes, female flowers in few-flowered dichasia,
yellow-white, 2–4 cm long · Fruit: Ovoid to pear-shaped, 10–50 cm long, green ripening to
orange-yellow, with juicy, sweet flesh and numerous black seeds Distribution and Habitat Carica papaya is
native to Central America, particularly southern Mexico, and has been
cultivated and naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide,
including Africa (Nigeria, Ghana), Asia (India, Malaysia), South America
(Brazil), and Oceania (Australia, Hawaii). It thrives in: · Ecosystems: Tropical forests, disturbed areas, roadsides, and
agricultural fields · Climate: Tropical to subtropical, with rainfall of 1,000–2,500 mm
annually and temperatures of 21–33°C · Soils: Well-drained, loamy, pH 5.5–7.5, tolerating moderate
nutrient deficiency · Altitude: Sea level to 1,500 m In Nigeria, it is widely
grown in southern states like Ogun and northern regions, often in home gardens
and plantations. Its rapid growth and seed dispersal contribute to its
naturalization. Ethnopharmacology Carica papaya ,
commonly known as papaya, is a highly versatile medicinal plant whose leaves,
seeds, fruit, roots, and latex are widely used in traditional and modern
medicine. It exhibits antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,
antidiabetic, antimalarial, gastroprotective, wound-healing, and
immunomodulatory properties. The leaves are often used to treat malaria, dengue
fever, and gastrointestinal disorders like ulcers and constipation, while the
seeds have antiparasitic and liver-protective effects. The fruit is rich in
vitamins A, C, and E, promoting digestive health, boosting immunity, and acting
as an antioxidant. The latex contains papain, a proteolytic enzyme used for
wound healing, digestive support, and anti-inflammatory purposes. Phytochemical
studies have identified bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids,
saponins, tannins, and carotenoids that contribute to its broad therapeutic
benefits. Although Carica papaya is widely used and well-studied, proper dosing
and usage guidelines are important to avoid potential side effects, especially
from its latex and seeds. · Antiviral
Activity Against Dengue Virus: Carica papaya leaf extracts have demonstrated the ability to
inhibit dengue virus infectivity in vitro. In animal models, treatment with
papaya leaf extract resulted in lower virus loads and higher survival rates
after dengue infection. Clinical observations indicate that patients treated
with papaya leaf extract during dengue infections experienced faster recovery
and reduced symptom severity, with some studies noting an increase in platelet
counts within 24–48 hours of administration (Srivastava et al., 2025). · Antioxidant
Properties: C. papaya is rich in
natural antioxidants found in its leaves, fruits, and seeds, including
flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and carotenoids. These antioxidants help
counteract oxidative stress, which is linked to cardiovascular diseases,
cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders, by neutralizing reactive oxygen
species and enhancing endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity (Kong et al.,
2021). · Bioactive
Constituents and Drug Discovery: The enzyme papain, present in papaya, improves gut transit time
and is used to treat allergies, trauma, and skin lesions. Proteolytic enzymes
like chymopapain exhibit antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties,
with studies identifying their potential in inhibiting fungal growth and
bacterial biofilm formation, making them candidates for novel therapeutic
agents (Kim et al., 2024). · Antidiabetic
Effects: An experimental study
showed that C. papaya leaf chloroform extract, containing steroids and
quinones, significantly reduced blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced
diabetic rats by up to 30% after 21 days of treatment, comparable to standard
antidiabetic drugs, suggesting its potential in managing type 2 diabetes (Gunde
& Amnerkar, 2016). · Antifertility
and Other Medicinal Properties: C. papaya exhibits various medicinal properties, including
antifertility effects in males and females, diuretic, uretonic,
antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, anti-helminthic, wound healing, antifungal,
antibacterial, and antitumor activities, with studies confirming its ability to
reduce tumor growth in animal models by up to 40% (Gunde & Amnerkar, 2016). · Antiviral
Potential Against SARS-CoV-2: C. papaya leaf extract inhibits SARS-CoV-2 main proteases in
vitro, with IC50 values indicating potent inhibition at low concentrations,
suggesting its potential as a herbal antiviral agent, though it showed no
significant activity against human TMPRSS2 (Hariono et al., 2022). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: The unripe fruit and other parts of C. papaya
exude a milky latex containing papain, which can cause allergic reactions and
skin irritation in sensitive individuals (Wikipedia, n.d.). Papaya seeds
contain carpaine, an alkaloid that can be toxic in high doses, potentially
causing neurological and cardiovascular effects at doses exceeding 1 g/kg body
weight (Greg App, n.d.). High doses of papaya leaf extract have been associated
with reduced uterine weight in female rats by approximately 15% after 28 days
of administration, suggesting potential effects on reproductive health
(Taychaworaditsakul et al., 2024). Additional Uses · Culinary: Ripe papaya is consumed fresh, in juices, salads, or
desserts; unripe fruit is used in curries or pickles in Nigeria and India. · Industrial: Papain from latex is used in food processing (meat tenderizers),
cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. · Cultural: In Yoruba traditions, leaf infusions are used for spiritual
cleansing; seeds are used in rituals in Nigeria · Ecological: The plant stabilizes soils in disturbed areas and supports pollinators
like bees in Nigeria · Agricultural: Seed extracts are used as natural insecticides against Aedes aegypti in Nigeria References
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| Compounds of Carica papaya (C. papaya) | |
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