PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS PAPAYA/ 565

Papaya

Carica papaya

TRADE NAMES
41 Papaya (available from numerous manufacturers), Papaya
Digestive Enzyme, Papaya Enzyme Double Strength, Papaya
with Papain

Leaves, Stem and Root: Carica papaya is a 4 to 8 m high

bushy tree with an unbranched fleshy-woody trunk that is

hollow in the middle. The leaves are long-petioled, very

large and segmented into 5 to 7 palmate lobes, which

terminate in sharp tips.

The results of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are

contradictory. Experiments have shown that papain has an

edema-reducing effect. The fibrinogenous effect has not

been sufficiently proven.

COMPOUNDS: PAPAYA LEAVES

Polyketide alkaloids: carpaine, pseudocarpaine

Glucosinolates

Cyanogenic glycosides (traces): including prunasin

Saponins

Proteolytic ferments (ficin)

EFFECTS: PAPAYA LEAVES

No information is available.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

RAW PAPAIN

Unproven Uses: Papaya is used for gastrointestinal digestion

complaints, inflammations and ulcers in the gastro-duodenal

area, and pancreas excretion insufficiency.

PAPAYA LEAVES

Unproven Uses: Papaya leaf preparations are used singly or

in combinations for prophylaxis and therapy of diseases and

disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and for infections with

intestinal parasites.

Indian Medicine: Worm infestation, damage to die urinary

tract and stones, hemorrhoids, coughs and bronchitis have

been treated with Papaya leaves.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

RAW PAPAIN AND PAPAYA LEAVES

Papaya is contraindicated in pregnancy.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

RAW PAPAIN

General: No health hazards or side effects are known in

conjunction with the proper administration of designated

therapeutic dosages. Because of the fibrinolytic effect, a

tendency to bleed is possible when there is a predisposition

to clotting delay and during treatment with anticoagulants.

Allergic reactions, including asthma attacks, are also

possible.

Drug Interactions: There has been some documented inter-

actions with warfarin. Papaya extract has been shown to

increase the international normalized ratio (INR) levels when

used in conjunction with warfarin.

Pregnancy: Because of the experimentally proven embryo-

toxic and teratogenic effects, as well as its known abortifa-

cient effect in humans, unripe papain fruit should not be used

during pregnancy.

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the leaves and

fruits.

Flower and Fruit: The plant has varying yellow to yellow-

ish-white flowers of both sexes. The male flowers form

many-branched, hanging panicles with small flowers. The

female flowers are almost sessile in the leaf axils on the

trunk. In addition there are androgynous, fertile flowers. The

yellow to yellow-green berry fruit is up to 30 cm long, 15 cm

thick and weighs 2 to 5 kg. The fruit is clavate and lightly

grooved. It contains numerous peppercorn-sized seeds sur-

rounded by orange-yellow and melon-flavored flesh.

Habitat: Indigenous to tropical Amenca. Cultivated in all

tropical regions today.

Production: Papaya leaves consist of the fresh or dried

leaves of Carica papaya harvested before the fruit appears.

Raw papain is the latex from Carica papaya, which has been

dried using Various methods; where necessary the latex is

decontaminated mechanically or by filtration.

Other Names: Melon Tree, Papaw, Mamaeire

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: RAW PAPAIN

Proteolytic enzymes (proteinases): papain, chymopapain A

and B, proteinase A and B, papaya peptidase A

Other enzymes: lysozyme, chitotransferase, glycosidases,

callase, pectinesterases, lipases, phosphatases, cycloligases

EFFECTS: RAW PAPAIN

The proteolytic activity of the' raw papain enzymes can be

used within the parameters of enzyme substitution for

digestive complaints, particularly pancreatic conditions.

Papain has an antimicrobial, anthelmintic and anti-ulcerative

effect.