Abstract
BackgroundCarica papaya is an eminent medicinal plant used all over the world to treat several diseases like malaria, dengue, inflammation, and skin infections. In this study, preliminary phytochemical screening for C. papaya flowers was carried out using different methods as TLC screening and UV-spectroscopy along with evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Methods were also developed for TLC and UV-visible spectroscopic analysis of the extracts.ResultsResults of phytochemical screening revealed that the methanol extract contains alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins as major components. Saponins and tannins were present in chloroform and n-hexane extracts; however, steroids and flavonoids were additionally found in n-hexane extract. Flavonoids, saponins, and tannins were present in aqueous extract of papaya flower. TLC and UV-visible spectroscopy also confirmed the presence of phenolics and flavonoids in different plant extracts. The total phenolic content (0.76 ± 0.04 mg GAE/g dry weight) and total flavonoid content (1.53 ± 0.10 mg QE/g dry weight) were the highest in the n-hexane extract of the flower. Antioxidant activity using DPPH free radical scavenging assay was the highest in n-hexane extract (64.07%). Antibacterial screening was carried out using well diffusion method against two pathogens Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis. The antibacterial assays of the extracts displayed the highest activity in methanolic extract against both E. coli (4.00 ± 0.08) and B. subtilis (01.00 ± 0.05).ConclusionThis is the first report for the presence of alkaloids and saponins in C. papaya flowers. Also, it is the first report for determination of total phenolics and total flavonoids in C. papaya flowers. Methanolic extract displayed considerable antibacterial activity against E. coli and B. subtilis. The antioxidant and antibacterial properties of phytochemical extracts make them attractive alternative complementary medicines. More chemical investigation for chemical constituents is important for further drug development programs.Graphical abstract
Highlights
Carica papaya is an eminent medicinal plant used all over the world to treat several diseases like malaria, dengue, inflammation, and skin infections
1 Background Medicinal plants have been reported to have antioxidant, antibacterial, or antimicrobial activities that have been credited to the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavanols, flavones, tannins, saponins
C. papaya plants have medicinal value due to the presence of natural metabolites found in leaf, bark, and twigs that possesses both anti-tumor and pesticidal properties [8]
Summary
Carica papaya is an eminent medicinal plant used all over the world to treat several diseases like malaria, dengue, inflammation, and skin infections. Carica papaya are herbaceous plants belonging to the member of the Caricaceae family [4] It is a dicotyledonous, polygamous, and diploid species comprising 31 species in four genera, first three belong from the USA such as Carica, Jacaritia, and Jarilla and one from equatorial Africa such as Cylicomorpha. Polygamous, and diploid species comprising 31 species in four genera, first three belong from the USA such as Carica, Jacaritia, and Jarilla and one from equatorial Africa such as Cylicomorpha It is a fast growing herb with short life span with all parts of the plant such as fruit, root, stem, seed [5], leaves, and flower being significantly used for the treatment of different types of diseases. Consumption of papaya flowers helps the body to neutralize the free radicals and modulate the immune system increasing disease susceptibility
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