Papaya

Scientific Name(s): Carica papaya L.
Common Name(s): Betik petik, Chichput, Fan kua, Fermented papaya, Gandul, Gantung, Katela, Kates, Kavunagaci, Kepaya, Kuntaia, Kuo, Lechoso, Lohong si phle, Mamao, Maoaza, Melon tree, Mu kua, Papailler, Papaw, Papaya, Papayer, Paw paw, Pepol, Tinti, Wan shou

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 23, 2022.

Clinical Overview

Use

Traditional uses of papaya in some developing countries are being investigated; papaya may provide an alternative to standard treatments for a variety of ailments. C. papaya has a wide range of purported medicinal properties, including antiseptic, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, diuretic, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, and contraceptive activity. While there are limited data to support most of these uses, there is some clinical evidence for use in treating decubitus ulcers, wounds, and intestinal worms. There is increasing interest in investigating fermented papaya preparations (FPPs) as a nutraceutical.

Dosing

Various topical applications of papaya have been used for wound healing, particularly in developing countries. There are very little data available to make specific recommendations regarding systemic doses of papaya.

One study used 20 mL of an elixir containing air-dried papaya seeds in honey (prepared by mixing 500 g of air-dried, machine-blended seeds with honey, for a total preparation volume of 1,000 mL [ie, 0.2 g of dried C. papaya seeds per milliliter]) to treat helminthiasis in children.

In clinical studies, FPPs have been used at 6 to 9 g per day in divided doses to evaluate effects in patients with diabetes or hypothyroidism.

A commercial papaya preparation (Caricol; 20 mL) has been used for 40 days in a trial evaluating effects in GI disorders.

In the United States, the papaya fruit has "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) status when used as a food.

Contraindications

Papaya is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of its components (eg, papain). Papaya may induce severe allergic responses in sensitive people.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Papaya may be unsafe depending on the part of the plant being used and dose administered.

Interactions

None documented.

Adverse Reactions

Papaya may cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive people. Topically, papaya latex can be a severe irritant and vesicant. Papaya juice and papaya seeds are unlikely to cause adverse effects when taken orally; however, papaya leaves at high doses may cause gastric irritation.

Toxicology

No data.

Scientific Family

• Caricaceae

Botany

Papaya is a small, bushy tree that grows 4 to 8 m in height, with a hollow trunk, large palmate leaves, and oblong, smooth-skinned fruits (melons). The melons are usually picked in a mature green state and allowed to ripen. When ripe, the flesh is sweet and juicy, and similar in taste to other melons.Hewitt 2002

History

Papaya, a tropical plant believed to have originated in southern Mexico and Central America, is now cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide for its edible ripe fruit; its juice is a popular beverage, and its young leaves and shoots are cooked as vegetables.Duke 1983, Hewitt 2002, Monti 2004 The fruits are a source of flavoring used in candies, jellies, preserves, and ice cream. Shallow cuts on the surface of fully grown but unripe fruits cause the exudation of a milky sap or latex that is collected, dried, and termed "crude papain."Foster 1999 Papain, a pro...