Macro-microscopic and phytochemical studies of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) with special reference to quality assurance profiles

Abstract

Abstract Background: Papaya (Carica papaya L., Caricaceae family) is a very popular plant in India (second largest papaya-producing country). The case fatality of severe dengue in Asian countries is around 0.5%–3.5%. The manifestations of this disease is wide, ranging from asymptomatic or mild infection through varying degrees of thrombocytopenia and vascular leakage i.e. typical dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) to severe shock syndrome and multi-organ failure. In Ayurveda, it was claimed that traditionally, fresh tender papaya leaves and matured seeds were being used in DHF to prevent dengue shock syndrome, particularly in thrombocytopenia cases due to any cause of the platelet count. In the present study the authors aimed to develop quality assurance profiles to standardize naturally available fresh leaves and matured seed of papaya for human use. Methods: The fresh, healthy leaves and mature seeds of ripe fruit of the C. papaya plantwere collected from local surroundings for the purpose of the study. The pharmacognostical (viz. Macroscopy, organoleptic study, transverse section and powder drug analysis) and chemical standards were developed using sophisticated analytical techniques viz. phytochemical or high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and physicochemical study. The pharmacognostic parameters and chemical profiling have provided valuable information as the quality standard and tool of identification of mentioned plant parts. Results: Macroscopically the leaf is glabrous having milky latex, without any hair on surface, the seed is mucilaginous with warty surface. Microscopically presence of collateral closed type vascular bundles, anomocytic stomata and both prismatic and cluster crystals in leaf and highly lignified characteristic mesotesta in seed arranged in double plane. The leaves contains carpain, pseudocarpain and dehydrocarpain I & II etc. and seeds contain fatty acids, crude proteins, crude fibre, papaya oil etc. Conclusion: The pharmacognostical study and phytochemical HPTLC study of mentioned plant parts revealed specific histological and chemical characteristics of the plants for proper identification and authentication.