title: Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of Carica papaya.
abstract: Chronic inflammation is linked with the generation and progression of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes and atherosclerosis, and anti-inflammatory drugs therefore have the potential to assist in the treatment of these conditions. Carica papaya is a tropical plant that is traditionally used in the treatment of various ailments including inflammatory conditions. A literature search was conducted by using the keywords "papaya", "anti-inflammatory and inflammation" and "immunomodulation and immune" along with cross-referencing. Both in vitro and in vivo investigation studies were included. This is a review of all studies published since 2000 on the anti-inflammatory activity of papaya extracts and their effects on various immune-inflammatory mediators. Studies on the anti-inflammatory activities of recognized phytochemicals present in papaya are also included. Although in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that papaya extracts and papaya-associated phytochemicals possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, clinical studies are lacking.
authors.affiliation: a School of Pharmacy , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia.
authors.forename: Saurabh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.affiliation: a School of Pharmacy , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Cabot
authors.affiliation: a School of Pharmacy , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia.
authors.forename: P Nicholas
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: a School of Pharmacy , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia.
authors.forename: Amitha K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Hewavitharana
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029441:Carica / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000628:therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Carica papaya; bioactivity; immunomodulatory; nutraceuticals