Abstract

PHARMACOGNISTIC EVALUATION OF LEAVES OF CARICA PAPAYA LINN

J.K. Lalla* and Sunita Ogale

ABSTRACT

Carica papaya, is a giant herbaceous plant in the Caricaceae (family) that originated in Central America and is now grown in tropical areas world-wide for its large, sweet, melon-like fruits and was introduced to India in 16th century. The name “papaya” also refers to the fruit of other Carica species, including C. pubescens and C. stipulata, and their various hybrids.The present study deals with the morphological evaluation of leaves of Carica papaya in order to study physico-chemical properties of the leaf. The study includes phytochemical evaluation along with quantification of active chemical constituents to confirm purity and authenticity of Carica papaya leaf. Microscopy ofthe leaf showed presence of epidermis, collenchyma, and parenchyma tissues. The phytochemical analysis indicate the presence of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids and tannins in different extracts of C.papaya leaf. The results of this study could be useful in setting diagnostic indices for identification, authentication and preparation of the monograph of the plant.

Keywords: Carica papaya, Caricaceae family, papaya, phytochemical screening.