Papaya as Medicaments 175
ethnobotanical uses (Bamisaye et al. 2013). Root is said to help in removing tumours
of uterus in animals. Root infusion is also used for syphilis. Juice from papaya roots
is used in some countries of Asia to ease urinary troubles. A decoction formed by
boiling the outer part of the roots of the papaya tree is used in the cure of dyspepsia.
16.2 Scope for Pharmacological Industry
Plant parts including leaf, seed, root and fruit exhibited to have a medicinal value.
The stem, leaf and fruit of papaya contain plenty of latex. The latex from unripe
papaya fruit contains enzymes papain and chymopapain; other components include
a mixture of cysteine endopeptidases, chitinases and an inhibitor of serine protease.
Phytochemical analysis of leaf extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides,
flavanoids, saponins, tannins, phenols and steroids. Here the focus is on different
properties of papaya such as antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, anti-
cancer activity, anti-inflammatory activity, treatment for dengue fever, anti-diabetic
activity, wound-healing activity and anti-fertility effects. Leaf, fruit and seed are
widely used by women for treating headaches, wounds, menstrual pain, stomach
ulcer, constipation, indigestion, boil, cysticercosis, toxoplasmosis, tooth decay,
cough, improve breastfeeding and yellow fever as a first line of health care for rural
families (Razafindraibe et al. 2013). Some of these parts are known to be analgesic,
amoebicidic, antibacterial, cardiotonic, cholagogue, digestive, emenagogue, febri-
fuge, hypotensive, laxative, pectoral, stomachic and vermifugic (Boshra and Tajul
2013). Thus, papaya acts as a multi-faceted plant. It is also imperative to identify the
mechanism of the plant compounds and studying the active principle of the extract.
Thus, we should include papaya in our diet as fruit salads, fruit juice, leaf extract,
decoction prepared through papaya leaves, and so on. The concentrations (of some
trace metals such as Zn in seeds and Mn in leaves) were found to be below the maxi-
mum acceptable level. In general, the nutritional (major, minor and toxic elements)
analysis of papaya seed and leaves has recommended them as good sources of major
and minor elements and also free from toxic metals, namely, Cr, Ni, Cd, Co, Pb, and
so on (Tigist et al. 2014). This section would focus on potential medicinal properties
and utilisation for drug preparations by industries as given below.
16.2.1 Allergens and Side Effects
The flower’s pollen has induced severe respiratory reactions in sensitive individu-
als (Blanco et al. 1998). Papaya pollen in papaya-cultivating areas can contribute
to aeropollen and aeroallergen loads (Chakraborty et al. 2005). Papaya contains
four cysteine endopeptidases including papain, chymopapain, glycylendopeptidase
and caricain. Papain is commonly found in papaya latex (Azarkan et al. 2003). The
recorded level of papain in papaya latex is 51,000–135,000 mg/kg (OGTR 2008).
Papain can also induce IGE-mediated allergic reactions through oral, respiratory
or contact routes of exposure. The typical symptoms include bronchial asthma,
rhinitis or both (Van Kampen et al. 2005). One case of a life-threatening ana-
phylaxis due to occupational exposure to papain was also reported (Freye 1988).
Thereafter, such people react to contact with any part of the plant and to eating