Abstract

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW: “MORPHOLOGICAL INSIGHTS AND PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIALS OF CARICA PAPAYA LINN.”

Gauri U. Bhende*, Shruti S. Wankhade, Bharati N. Rathod, Trupti A. Raut,

Abstract

Papaya or Carica papaya Linn. is a tropical plant that is widely grown and prized for its economic, medical, and nutritional worth. This article highlights the plant's importance in both traditional and modern medicine by summarizing its morphological traits and pharmacological qualities. Carica papaya is a herbaceous plant that grows quickly. It is characterized by a hollow trunk, big lobed leaves, milky latex, and fleshy fruit that resembles berries and is full of nutrients and bioactive substances. Alkaloids, flavonoids, carotenoids, tannins, and proteolytic enzymes like papain and chymopapain are among the phytochemicals found in the plant's leaves, fruits, seeds, roots, and latex. A wide range of medicinal activity, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anthelmintic, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, antifertility, and wound-healing qualities, are demonstrated by Carica papaya pharmacologically. Its leaf extract has demonstrated significant promise in promoting platelet count rise, especially in thrombocytopenia associated with dengue. While the fruit and latex have a wide range of applications in the digestive and dermatological fields because of their enzymatic action, seeds and their extracts exhibit antihelminthic and contraceptive properties. Carica papaya's varied pharmacological potential highlights its value as a natural remedy and promotes more investigation into its bioactive ingredients, modes of action, and therapeutic uses. Overall, this study emphasizes the significance of Carica papaya Linn. in herbal medicine as well as its potential for future drug development by highlighting its extensive morphological profile and diverse pharmacological effects.

Keywords: Carica papaya, pharmacological activity, papain, traditional medicine.