Carica papaya
Carica papaya, commonly known as papaya, is a tropical fruit-bearing plant celebrated for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Rich in vitamins A and C, it contains the powerful enzyme papain, which aids digestion and reduces inflammation. This versatile plant serves as a natural remedy for skin health and healing.
- Scientific name: Carica papaya
- Family: Caricaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Brassicaleales and the family Caricaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Carica.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Brassicales | WCVP |
| Family | Caricaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Carica | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several key regions. In Macaronesia, it can be found growing in Cape Verde. Its presence extends into West Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Benin. Additionally, the species inhabits the territories of Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its range continues through the country of Guinea within the same West Tropical African zone.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
Chemicals
Carica papaya has 74 reported phytochemicals identified across 106 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, saponins, tannins, carpaine, phenols.
- Total chemicals
- 74
- Scientific sources
- 106
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| saponins | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| tannins | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| carpaine | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| papain | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phytol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Carica papaya has 23 reported activities identified across 51 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antimalarial, Antibacterial, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 23
- Scientific sources
- 51
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| Antidiabetic | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Abortifacient | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifertility | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Carica papaya has 75 reported medicinal uses identified across 102 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, breast cancer, cancer, dengue, dengue fever.
- Total uses
- 75
- Scientific sources
- 102
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| breast cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| dengue | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| dengue fever | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal diseases | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |