From the Research
Antiparasitic Effects of Papaya
- Papaya has been shown to have antiparasitic effects in various studies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- The cysteine proteinases in papaya latex have been found to have potent anthelmintic properties in monogastric hosts such as rodents, pigs, and humans 1
- A study found that the soluble fraction of papaya latex had a potent in vivo effect on the abomasal nematode Haemonchus contortus, but not on the small intestinal nematode Trichostrongylus colubriformis 1
- The seeds of Carica papaya have been found to possess the highest anthelminthic activity, with the fixed oils present in the seeds being responsible for this activity 2
- Papaya latex supernatant has been shown to have a potent effect on the free-living stages of equid cyathostomins in vitro, with a dose-dependent inhibition of migration of third stage larvae 5
Mechanism of Action
- The anthelminthic activity of papaya is thought to be due to the presence of cysteine proteinases, which have been shown to have potent anthelmintic properties 1, 5
- The fixed oils present in the seeds of Carica papaya have also been found to have anthelminthic activity 2
- The mechanism of action of papaya latex supernatant against cyathostomins is thought to be due to the presence of cysteine proteinases, as well as an additional active compound 5
Efficacy and Safety
- Papaya latex has been found to be effective against Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis in sheep, with a reduction in worm burdens of up to 98% 1
- The efficacy of papaya latex supernatant against cyathostomins has been found to be dose-dependent, with higher concentrations resulting in greater inhibition of migration of third stage larvae 5
- Fasting before treatment with papaya latex has been found to have no beneficial effect on the efficacy of the treatment 3