CARICA PAPAYA L. LEAVES: FROM TRADITIONAL FOOD TO PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL AND MEDICAL APPLICATIONS
Keywords:
papaya leaf, Carica papaya, pharmacological properties, herbal medicine, functional foodAbstract
Carica papaya L. leaves have long been utilized as both food and traditional medicine, particularly in ASEAN countries. This review aimed to synthesize current knowledge on papaya leaves, including their botanical characteristics, chemical composition, dietary use, pharmacological properties, and potential medical applications. A critical narrative review of relevant literature was conducted.
The findings indicate that papaya leaves contain various bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and proteolytic enzymes, which are associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities in preclinical studies. Clinical evidence supports the use of papaya leaf extract in increasing platelet counts in dengue patients. However, most available evidence remains limited to in vitro and animal studies.
In terms of commercial applications, papaya leaf products have been developed in various forms, such as extracts, capsules, and herbal beverages. Nevertheless, challenges remain regarding standardization, quality control, and consistency of active compounds.
In conclusion, papaya leaves demonstrate considerable potential for development into health and medical products. However, further high-quality clinical studies and standardized production processes are required to ensure their safety and efficacy in clinical use.
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