Background: Carica papaya latex has been found to have antifungal properties rendering an alternative treatment for fungal infections, i.e. pityriasis versicolor. It has remarkable mycelial inhibition, and static effect on fungal growth in cultures. Its keratolytic effect can remove diseased skin cells, and enhance drug penetration. Moreover, it is organic, locally available, and relatively inexpensive. Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of 1.5% Carica papaya latex cream vs. 2% ketoconazole cream in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor among Filipinos. Methods: A single-center, parallel group, triple-blind, randomized controlled trial in the Dermatology out-patient clinic of Makati Medical Center was conducted. Sixty-four patients with pityriasis versicolor were randomly allocated to the two treatment groups, and received either 1.5% Carica papaya latex cream or 2% ketoconazole cream that they used twice daily for four weeks or until cured. The participants, researcher, and assessor were blinded to the treatment assignments. Therapeutic response was assessed at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 based on clinical and mycologic cure. Adverse events were identified. Patients’ assessment of their improvement was done at the end of the treatment. Results: All 64 subjects in both treatment groups (100% in the Carica papaya and 100% in the ketoconazole group) achieved clinical and mycologic cure within the four-week study period. The adverse reactions noted (pruritus and erythema for Carica papaya latex cream, and pruritus for ketoconazole cream) were mild, did not cause disruption of daily activities, and spontaneously resolved. Conclusion 1.5% Carica papaya latex cream is an effective and safe alternative treatment to the first line therapy, ketoconazole cream, for pityriasis versicolor.
Carica ; Tinea Versicolor

Aims: The microbial pigment can be the best promising alternative to replace synthetic colorant. However, due to the high cost of synthetic medium for microbial pigment production, there is a need to develop a new low-cost medium of bacterial pigment production. This study aims to investigate the potential of banana and papaya peels as alternative lowcost substrates for a carotenoid-producing bacterium, B12 strain (bacteria strain isolated from Holothuria (Lessonothuria) pardalis). Methodology and results: B12 strain identified as an aerobic bacterium with non-motile, diplobacilli shaped and Grampositive bacteria. The fermentation was optimized with different parameters included the effect of temperature, time, concentrations, pHs, carbon and nitrogen sources to find the optimum relative pigment concentration produced by B12. The results showed that the B12 strain produced the highest relative pigment concentration measured at 450 nm when the strain was cultivated at 37 °C and pH 7 in the culture medium incorporated with the combination of dried papaya peels and banana peels (100% v/v with ratio 1:1) at 72 h of incubation. Lactose, peptone and yeast were observed as the best carbon and nitrogen sources to increase the pigment concentration of B12 strain. Stability of the pigment was studied at different physiochemical stress, and it showed the pigment obtained from dried papaya and banana substrates can tolerate and stable under stress condition. Conclusion, significance and impact of study This can be concluded that the combination of dried papaya and banana peels worked well as substrate and can be utilized as a fermentation medium to replace the synthetic medium which is more expensive and uneconomical for industry application. Besides, it also helps in managing waste and solving the pollution problem due to the increasing of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD).
Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections ; Holothuria ; Carica ; Musa

Naringin and its aglycon, naringenin from the peel of C. grandis (L.) Osbeck were extracted, purified, and determined by UV, IR, and NMR spectrum.
: Extraction of carpamic acid from leaves of carica papaya L, Caricaceae

Total RNA was extracted from infected papaya (Carica papaya L.) leaves in Hainan Province, and the full-length sequences of papaya ringspot virus were amplified by RT-PCR and RACE, and its complete genomic sequence was assembled, named Hainan-P isolate. The RNA genome sequence of Hainan-P isolate was 10323 nucleotides (nts)in length,excluding the 3'-terminal poly(A) tail. And it was composed of a single open reading frame encoding a polyprotein of 3343 amino acids.. The result of homology analysis with twelve GenBank PRSV isolates showed that the polyprotein identity of Hainan-P ranged from 89. 8% to 93.2%, that was higher than the complete nt homology of 82.3% to 89.1%. The P1 amino acid was the least conserved (sharing homology only between 65.4% and 80.1%), whereas HC-Pro, CI and CP were the most conserved. Phylogenetic tree were constructed by the Neighbor-joining method in MEGA 3.1, which showed that PRSV isolates were obviously relevant to geographical origin, and it was impossible to delineate host-specific (P type and W type)evolution.
Carica ; virology ; Genome, Viral ; Phylogeny ; Potyvirus ; classification ; genetics

Papaya, which is mainly cultivated in the southeastern region of China, is one of the four famous fruits in Lingnan. It is favored by people because of its edible and medicinal value. Fructose-6-phosphate, 2-kinase/fructose-2, 6-bisphosphatase (F2KP) is a unique bifunctional enzyme with a kinase domain and an esterase domain that catalyzes the synthesis and degradation of fructose-2, 6-bisphosphate (Fru-2, 6-P₂), an important regulator of glucose metabolism in organisms. In order to study the function of the gene CpF2KP encoding the enzyme in papaya, it is particularly important to obtain the target protein. In this study, the coding sequence (CDS) of CpF2KP, with a full-length of 2 274 bp, was got from the papaya genome. The amplified sequence of full-length CDS was cloned into the vector PGEX-4T-1 which was double digested with EcoR I and BamH I. The amplified sequence was constructed into a prokaryotic expression vector by genetic recombination. After exploring the induction conditions, the results of SDS-PAGE showed that the size of the recombinant GST-CpF2KP protein was about 110 kDa. The optimum IPTG concentration and temperature for CpF2KP induction were 0.5 mmol/L and 28 ℃, respectively. The purified sin[A1] gle target protein was obtained after purifying the induced CpF2KP protein. In addition, the expression level of this gene was detected in different tissues, and showed that the gene was expressed at the highest level in seeds and the lowest in pulp. This study provides an important basis for further revealing the function of CpF2KP protein and studying the involved biological processes of this gene in papaya.
Humans ; Carica/genetics* ; Recombinant Proteins ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; Cloning, Molecular ; China

OBJECTIVES

Carica papaya has been widely used commercially for skin care due to its therapeutic benefits. The potential of its flower to promote hair growth has been traditionally recognized in other countries but not in the Philippines. In this study, we explored the effect of various extracts of C. papaya flower in the biological activities associated with hair loss, including 5α-reductase inhibition and antioxidation, as well as identified the putative compounds present in the most potent extract.

METHODS

The flowers of C. papaya were macerated separately with ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane to obtain their corresponding crude extracts. These extracts were subjected to antioxidant tests via 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC) of the crude extracts were determined, as well as the ability of the extracts to inhibit 5α-reductase. The compounds present in the most potent extract were determined using ultraperformance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometer (UPLC/MS-QToF).

RESULTS

Ethyl acetate extract displayed significantly higher DPPH activity (0.001755 ± 0.00092 ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity) and 5α-reductase inhibitory activity (115.18 ± 11.61 mg dutasteride/g) compared to ethanol (DPPH: p=0.0121; 5α-reductase: p=0.0016) and hexane (DPPH: p=0.0038; 5α-reductase: p < 0.0001) extracts. Similarly, ethyl acetate extract gave the highest FRAP (0.4842 ± 0.0936 mg ascorbic acid/g) activity, TFC (0.0403 mg quercetin/g), and TPC (0.0463 mg gallic acid/g) among the extracts. Forty-nine compounds were annotated in the ethyl acetate extract, with seven (7) putatively identified as fatty acids (9-hydroxy-10,12-pentadecadienoic acid, 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid), hydroxyflavone (5-methylkaempferol), alkaloid (allomatrine), dipeptide derivative (aurantiamide acetate), bufotalinin, and 6β-acetoxy-5-epilimonin based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Library.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that local C. papaya flowers can be a source of hair growth-promoting agents via their antioxidant and 5α-reductase inhibitory potential.

Carica ; Papaya ; Antioxidants ; Free Fatty Acids ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified

Ficus carica L. (fig) belongs to the mulberry tree (Moraceae) which is one of the oldest fruits in the world. It has been used as a digestion promoter and a cure for ulcerative inflammation and eruption in Korea. The present study investigated the antimicrobial activity of methanol (MeOH) extract of figs against oral bacteria. The MeOH extract (MICs, 0.156 to 5 mg/ml; MBCs, 0.313 to 5 mg/ml) showed a strong antibacterial activity against oral bacteria. The combination effects of MeOH extract with ampicillin or gentamicin were synergistic against oral bacteria. We suggest that figs could be employed as a natural antibacterial agent in oral care products.
Ampicillin ; Bacteria ; Carica ; Digestion ; Ficus ; Fruit ; Gentamicins ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Methanol ; Morus ; Trees ; Ulcer

Constipation is one of the most common functional digestive complaints worldwide. We investigated the laxative effects of figs (Ficus carica L) in a beagle model of constipation induced by high protein diet and movement restriction. The experiments were consecutively conducted over 9 weeks divided into 3 periods of 3 weeks each. All 15 beagles were subjected to a non-treatment (control) period, a constipation induction period, and a fig paste treatment period. We administered fig paste (12 g/kg daily, by gavage) for 3 weeks following a 3-week period of constipation induction in dogs. Segmental colonic transit time (CTT) was measured by counting radiopaque markers (Kolomark) using a radiograph performed every 6 h after feeding Kolomark capsules, until capsules were no longer observed. Fig paste significantly increased fecal quantity in constipated dogs, and segmental CTT was also reduced following fig paste administration. There were no significant differences in feed intake, water intake, body weight, or blood test results, between the constipation and fig paste administration periods. Our results demonstrate that fig is an effective treatment for constipation in beagles. Specifically, stool weight increased and segmental CTT decreased. Fig pastes may be useful as a complementary medicine in humans suffering from chronic constipation.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Capsules ; Carica ; Colon ; Complementary Therapies ; Constipation ; Diet ; Dogs ; Drinking ; Ficus ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Ointments ; Stress, Psychological

The food choices in childhood have high a probability of being carried through into their adulthood life, which then contributes to the risk of many non-communicable diseases. Therefore, there is a need to gather some information about children's views on foods which may influence their food choices for planning a related dietary intervention or programme. This paper aimed to explore the views of children on foods and the types of foods which are usually consumed by children under four food groups (snacks, fast foods, cereals and cereal products; and milk and dairy products) by using focus group discussions. A total of 33 school children aged 7-9 years old from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur participated in the focus groups. Focus groups were audio-taped, transcribed and analyzed according to the listed themes. The outcomes show that the children usually consumed snacks such as white bread with spread or as a sandwich, local cakes, fruits such as papaya, mango and watermelon, biscuits or cookies, tea, chocolate drink and instant noodles. Their choices of fast foods included pizza, burgers, French fries and fried chicken. For cereal products, they usually consumed rice, bread and ready-to-eat cereals. Finally, their choices of dairy products included milk, cheese and yogurt. The reasons for the food liking were taste, nutritional value and the characteristics of food. The outcome of this study may provide additional information on the food choices among Malaysian children, especially in urban areas with regard to the food groups which have shown to have a relationship with the risk of childhood obesity.
Aged ; Bread ; Cacao ; Carica ; Edible Grain ; Cheese ; Chickens ; Child ; Citrullus ; Dairy Products ; Diet ; Fast Foods ; Focus Groups ; Fruit ; Humans ; Malaysia ; Mangifera ; Milk ; Nutritive Value ; Obesity ; Snacks ; Tea ; Yogurt

AIMTo assess the contraceptive efficacy of the benzene chromatographic fraction of the chloroform extract of the seeds of Carica papaya in langur monkeys.

METHODSThe test substance was given p.o. to five monkeys at 50 mg/kg body weight/day for 360 days. Control animals (n=3) received olive oil as vehicle. Sperm parameters as per World Health Organization standards, sperm functional tests, morphology of testis and epididymis, haematology, clinical biochemistry, serum testosterone and libido were evaluated. Following completion of 360 days treatment the animals were withdrawn from the treatment and the recovery pattern was assessed by semen analysis and sperm functional tests.

RESULTSTotal inhibition of sperm motility was observed following 60 days of treatment that continued until 360 days study period. Sperm count, percent viability and percent normal spermatozoa showed a drastic decline following 30 days of treatment. Sperm morphology showed predominant mid piece abnormalities. Sperm functional tests scored in sterile range. Histology and ultrastructure of testis revealed vacuolization in the Sertoli cells and germ cells. Loss of cytoplasmic organelles was evident in spermatocytes and round spermatids. Histology and ultrastructure of epididymis of treated animals were comparable to those of control animals. Hematological and serum clinical parameters and testosterone levels fluctuated within the control range throughout the study period. Recovery was evident following 60-120 days of treatment withdrawal.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that the benzene chromatographic fraction of the chloroform extract of the seeds of Carica papaya shows contraceptive efficacy without adverse toxicity, mediated through inhibition of sperm motility.

Animals ; Benzene ; Carica ; Cercopithecidae ; Chloroform ; Chromatography ; Contraceptive Agents, Male ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; Seeds ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood