Nutraceutical Applications of Carica Papaya Extracts
Summary
Carica papaya extracts have emerged as versatile nutraceutical agents, harnessing a rich repertoire of enzymes, phytochemicals and micronutrients for health promotion. The fruit pulp, seeds and leaves provide papain, vitamins, minerals and a spectrum of polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins and glucosinolates. These bioactive constituents confer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, hypolipidaemic and wound-healing activities. In metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes models, papaya extracts modulate glucose uptake, enhance insulin signalling and lower triglyceride accumulation. Their antioxidant capacity counters oxidative stress, protecting against cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. Topical formulations exploit papain’s proteolytic action to support wound debridement and tissue repair. Emerging evidence also suggests anticancer potential through induction of apoptotic pathways in malignant cells. Extraction methodologies range from aqueous and organic solvent systems to green techniques, each influencing yield and activity profiles. Safety assessments in animal studies have demonstrated an absence of acute or chronic toxicity at nutritionally relevant doses, supporting the prospects of papaya derivatives in functional foods, dietary supplements and cosmeceuticals. Ongoing efforts focus on cultivar selection, standardisation of bioactive content and elucidation of underlying molecular mechanisms to translate papaya’s therapeutic promise into accessible, evidence-based nutraceutical products.
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Nutraceutical Applications of Carica Papaya Extracts publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in nutraceutical applications of carica papaya extracts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Nutraceutical: A food or food component that provides medical or health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
Bioactive compound: A naturally occurring chemical constituent that exerts a biological effect on living tissues.
Polyphenol: A class of plant-derived molecules characterised by multiple phenolic units, known for antioxidant properties.
Papain: A cysteine protease enzyme extracted from papaya latex, used for proteolytic and therapeutic applications.
Glycaemic control: The regulation of blood glucose levels through dietary, pharmacological or biochemical mechanisms.
References
- Therapeutic benefits of Carica papaya: A review on its pharmacological activities and characterization of papain. Arabian Journal of Chemistry (2024).
- Characterization of Green and Yellow Papaya (Carica papaya) for Anti-Diabetic Activity in Liver and Myoblast Cells and Wound-Healing Activity in Fibroblast Cells. Nutrients (2023).
- Phenolic and Metabolic Profiles, Antioxidant Activities, Glycemic Control, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Three Thai Papaya Cultivar Leaves. Foods (2024).
- Safety of Oral Carica papaya L. Leaf 10% Ethanolic Extract for Acute and Chronic Toxicity Tests in Sprague Dawley Rats. Toxics (2024).
- Nutraceutical Potential of Carica papaya in Metabolic Syndrome. Nutrients (2019).
- Beneficial Role of Carica papaya Extracts and Phytochemicals on Oxidative Stress and Related Diseases: A Mini Review. Biology (2021).
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