Journal of
Medicinal Plants Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Med. Plants Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0875
  • DOI: 10.5897/JMPR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 3843

Full Length Research Paper

In vitro antiproliferative potential of crude extracts from Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae) black seeds against prostate cancer cell lines'

Benson Mcheza Kateihwa
  • Benson Mcheza Kateihwa
  • Department of Global Health and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), P. O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.
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Hulda Swai
  • Hulda Swai
  • Department of Global Health and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), P. O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.
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Jeremiah Waweru Gathirwa
  • Jeremiah Waweru Gathirwa
  • Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 54840 00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Elingarami Sauli
  • Elingarami Sauli
  • Department of Global Health and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), P. O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.
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  •  Received: 13 January 2022
  •  Accepted: 21 April 2022
  •  Published: 30 April 2022

Abstract

Black seeds from papaya plants are utilized as traditional medicine in African and Asian cultures to improve the functioning of the male reproductive system and management of prostate cancer. This study analyzed the phytochemical composition, antiproliferative activity and cytotoxicity of Carica papaya black seeds against the prostate cancer cells and Vero cells. Phytochemical screening was performed by standard procedures. Methyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability assay was used to evaluate the antiproliferative effect of crude extracts in prostate cancer cells against the control.  Phytocompounds, namely flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, glycosides and saponins were found in the crude extracts. All papaya seeds’ extracts had antiproliferative activity towards prostate cancer cells. Ethyl acetate extract was found with higher antiproliferative activity with IC50 of 3.64 µg/ml. The crude extracts were not toxic towards Vero cells as compared to the control. Isolation and characterization of active compounds from herein crude extracts and papaya black seeds are therefore recommended for future studies.

Key words: Prostate cancer, Carica papaya, extracts, phytochemical analysis, antiproliferative.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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