Abstract

A REVIEW ON MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF CARICA PAPAYA

J. Sunitha, G. Lakshmi Devi*, K. Haritha, Dr. J. V. C. Sharma

ABSTRACT

The present paper deals with origin and distribution, brief morphological characters, nutritional value and medicinal properties of carica papaya plants. Papaya (Carica papaya Linn.) is commonly known for its food and nutritional values throughout the world. The medicinal properties of papaya fruit and other parts of the plant are also well known in traditional system of medicine. Since, each part of papaya tree possesses economic value; it is grown on commercial scale. During the last few decades considerable progress has been achieved regarding the biological activity and medicinal application of papaya and now it is considered as valuable nutraceutical fruit plant. It can be chosen as a source of papain for the development of various industrial and pharmaceutical products. In the present review nutritional value of the fruit and medicinal properties of its various parts have been discussed to provide collective information on this multipurpose commercial fruit crop. The present paper deals with origin and distribution, brief morphological characters, nutritional value and results of reported research findings on its medicinal properties

Keywords: Papaya, Carica papaya, Medicinal plant, Fruit, Papain.