Nutritional, medicinal and pharmacological properties of papaya (Carica papaya linn.): A review

Abstract

Papaya (Carica papaya linn) is well known for its exceptional nutritional and medicinal properties throughout the world. From the times immemorial, the whole Papaya plant including its leaves, seeds, ripe and unripe fruits and their juice is used as traditional medicine. Nowadays, Papaya is considered as nutraceutical fruit due to its multifaceted medicinal properties. The prominent medicinal properties of papaya include Anti-fertility, Diuretic, Uretonic, Anti-hypertensive, Hypolipidemic, Anti-helmintic, Wound healing, Anti-fungal, Antibacterial, Antitumor and free radical scavenging activities. Phytochemically, the whole plant contains enzymes (Papain), lycopene, carotenoids, alkaloids, monoterpenoids, flavonoids, mineral and vitamins. This important nutricious fruits feed the body and immune system. In present review article, a attempt is made to compile all the strange facts available about this tasty fruit. This tasty fruit of papaya is popular among family members of all ages for the delicious dishes derived from it.