Carica papaya: comprehensive overview of the nutritional values, phytochemicals and pharmacological activities

Carica papayais a perennial large herbaceous plant known for diverse biological activities. Different parts of this plant such as seeds, leaves, fruits, peels, roots, and stems have been previously reported to possess nutritional and medicinal values. This plant possesses a nutritional value that is rich in vitamins and natural minerals but low in calories. Moreover, every part of this plant had been used in treating different type of diseases which include wound dressing, antibacterial, anthelminthic effects, traditionally used to control birth, and several other activities. These were born out of the in vitro and in vivo studies conducted on the extracts from parts ofC. papaya. Furthermore, the occurrences of different kinds of phytochemicals in the extracts might have been responsible for its diverse pharmacological properties. Thus, this article comprehensively outlines and discusses nutritional values, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of C. papaya.