Phytochemical and Pharmacological Investigation of the Leaves of Carica Papaya Linn

Abstract

Carica papaya Linn belonging to the family Caricaceae is a well known medicinal plant in the world. It has also got good reputation in Bangladesh having the local name papay. It is used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases like cancer, malaria, dengue fever, viral infection such as common cold, eczema, warts etc. Studies conducted in some countries have shown that there is a significant antibacterial activity in organic extracts of different parts of C. papaya. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract of C. papaya. The powdered leaf of C. papaya was extracted with methanol. The concentrated crude methanolic extract was then evaluated for phytochemical screening. Phytochemical screening was performed to determine the presence of carbohydrate, and various secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins and saponins. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrate, tannin and saponin. The antimicrobial activities of methanolic solvent extract of Carica papaya leaf were tested against the gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains and fungus by observing the zone of inhibition. The antimicrobial test was performed by disc diffusion method. The gram-positive bacteria used in the test were Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, β-hemolytic streptococcus, Bacillus megaterium and the gram-negative bacteria were Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella paratyphi, Shigella boydii and fungus like Asperllius niger and Candida albicans were also used. The crude methanolic extract of Carica papaya leaf showed mild to moderate antimicrobial activities against the microorganisms at different concentrations of 50 μg/disc, 100 μg/disc and 150 μg/disc. However, no activity was found against Streptococcus pyogenes and Shigella boydii.