Carica papaya L., also known as papaya, is a small evergreen cork tree belonging to the family Caricaceae. Native to tropical America. It is widely cultivated in southern Fujian, Taiwan Province, Guangdong, Guangxi and southern Yunnan. Widely planted in tropical and warmer subtropical regions of the world. The ripe fruit of papaya can be used as fruit, while the immature fruit can be cooked or pickled as vegetables, and can be processed into candied fruit, fruit juice, jam, preserved fruit and canned food. Seeds can extract oil. Both fruits and leaves can be used medicinally.
The role of papaya:
(1) Papaya has strong anti-cancer activity against lymphocytic leukemia cells (L 12 10) and moderate anti-lymphocytic leukemia P388 and EA tumor cells.
(2) Antibacterial and antiparasitic effects: Papaya has a slight inhibitory effect on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37RV) in vitro; Leaves and roots have weak effects on bacteria, and petioles are ineffective. Papaya can kill amoeba, and subcutaneous injection of its hydrochloride is also effective in clinical application. The pulp juice and papain can effectively repel tapeworms, roundworms and whipworms. Benzyl isothiocyanate separated from seeds can drive snails.
(3) Role of protease: Papain can help protein digest, and can be used for chronic dyspepsia and gastritis.
(4) Anticoagulation: Intravenous papain can cause histamine release, prolong coagulation time and prevent shock.
(5) Health function: Papaya is rich in 17 kinds of amino acids, calcium, iron, papain, papaya and so on. Eating more can prolong life.