NUTRITIONAL AND PHYTO-THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF PAPAYA (CARICA PAPAYA LINN.): AN OVERVIEW

Carica papaya is an economically vivacious plant of tropical and subtropical regions, cultivated in over 50 countries across the world with 6.8 million tons production. Papaya holds a broad spectrum of phytochemicals, including polysaccharides, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, proteins, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, and phytosterols. These bioactive components are responsible for the pharmacological properties of this auspicious plant and demonstrate its importance in daily intake and alimentation. Additionally, it is an excellent aid to digestion and also hydrolyzing gluten, which is an important aspect for dyspeptic and celiac disease patients. Papaya acts as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarminative, anticancer, and has hepato-protective, immunological, and other therapeutic attributes. The seed and pulp of papaya have bacteriostatic effects against several enteropathogens, such as Bacillus subtilus and E. coli. In the current review, pharmacological attributes, nutritional value of papaya, and medicinal properties of its various parts have been elaborated to provide collective information on this multipurpose commercial plant. Moreover, its role in the production of alcohol and carboxymethyl cellulose is also the limelight of the article. Furthermore, the present review article summarizes the literature pertaining to its pharmakinetics and also allies its health claims. Yet, the authors are still of the view that further research needs to be conducted for meticulousness.