Marvelous plant Carica papaya Linn: A herbal therapeutic option

Abstract

Carica papaya belonging to the family Caricaceae is an effective medicinal plant and is used in the treatment of various diseases throughout the world. There are several Indian and International synonyms of Carica papaya in different language and region. Not only the fruit, but each part of the papaya plant is also used for medicinal purpose. The papaya plant has great nutritional value and energy and contains almost no cholesterol which is the best remedy for weight management. The plant contains many chemical constituents such as vitamin A, B, C, proteolytic enzymes papain, carpaine, chymopapain, antioxidants which have various pharmacological properties like antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antifertility, antisickling, antimalarial, anticancer, antiobesity activity. The juice of papaya leaves is the best option for increasing the platelet count. The seeds are used to inhibit pancreatic lipase in obesity. The papaya plant also has many cosmetic uses in the skin and hair treatment.