Beneficial Role of Carica papaya Extracts and Phytochemicals on Oxidative Stress and Related Diseases: A Mini Review

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a result of disruption in the balance between antioxidants and pro-oxidants in which subsequently impacting on redox signaling, causing cell and tissue damages. It leads to a range of medical conditions including inflammation, skin aging, impaired wound healing, chronic diseases and cancers but these conditions can be managed properly with the aid of antioxidants. This review features various studies to provide an overview on how Carica papaya help counteract oxidative stress via various mechanisms of action closely related to its antioxidant properties and eventually improving the management of various oxidative stress-related health conditions. Carica papaya is a topical plant species discovered to contain high amounts of natural antioxidants that can usually be found in their leaves, fruits and seeds. It contains various chemical compounds demonstrate significant antioxidant properties including caffeic acid, myricetin, rutin, quercetin, α-tocopherol, papain, benzyl isothiocyanate (BiTC), and kaempferol. Therefore, it can counteract pro-oxidants via a number of signaling pathways that either promote the expression of antioxidant enzymes or reduce ROS production. These signaling pathways activate the antioxidant defense mechanisms that protect the body against both intrinsic and extrinsic oxidative stress. To conclude, Carica papaya can be incorporated into medications or supplements to help manage the health conditions driven by oxidative stress and further studies are needed to investigate the potential of its chemical components to manage various chronic diseases.

Unripe Carica papaya Protects Methylglyoxal-Invoked Endothelial Cell Inflammation and Apoptosis via the Suppression of Oxidative Stress and Akt/MAPK/NF-κB Signals

“…The green papaya fruits contain several phytoantioxidants, including vitamin C, quercetin, kaempferol, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and enzymes papain and carpaine [ 16 ]. Research on green papaya fruits reveal a wide range of pharmacological effects such as antioxidants, anti-inflammation [ 17 ], anti-aging [ 18 ], and wound healing [ 19 ], but the prevention of endothelial cell damage in dicarbonyl stress mimicking diabetic condition has not been reported. Our previous study shows that UCP protected against H 2 O 2 -induced endothelial cell death, due to its strong antioxidant properties, as well as the specific scavenging activity to eliminate H 2 O 2 , O 2 •− , OH, and HOCl [ 20 ].…”

Cosmeceutical Potential of Major Tropical and Subtropical Fruit By-Products for a Sustainable Revalorization

“…It is a crucial issue in biology and is caused by time-dependent internal and extrinsic factors, such as ultraviolet (UV) light [ 106 ]. This process can be defined as a natural phenomenon, resulting from the disruption of the redox equilibrium, with pro-oxidants overcoming antioxidants, which can eventually result in cell or tissue damage [ 107 ]. Additionally, a disturbance of the redox equilibrium could be produced by excessive concentrations of antioxidant species, which could lead to the same disruptive state of the body.…”

“…On the other hand, both UV and ROS also provoke erythema on skin (sunburn). Through NF-kB activation, this process derives in a stimulation of pro-inflammatory gene transcription and production of cytokines, such as interleukins or TNF-α, finally leading to a vicious inflammatory state cycle [ 107 , 120 ].…”

“…Then, the cells below the dermis begin to increase collagen production: there is a deposition of a fibrin clot at the site of injury, which serves as a provisional matrix and sets the stage for the subsequent epithelial tissue regeneration. Finally, epithelial cells crawl across the wound, which is contracted from each edge and undergoes contraction [ 107 , 121 ]. The efficiency of the wound healing process decreases with advancing age.…”

“…Impaired healing by failure to progress through these stages derive in pathologic inflammation and chronic wounds, usually associated with ischemia, diabetes mellitus and pressure. In these cases, although minimal ROS prevents infections, the production exceeds average levels in response to NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX 2 ) activation in macrophages and neutrophils during the inflammatory phase of the healing, contributing to high oxidative stress that leads to the wound not healing [ 107 ]. Despite this, inflammation is essential to prevent infection and stimulate angiogenesis and matrix deposition, creating cytokines and angiogenic factors at early stages of the wound, while prolonged pathological inflammation causes delayed wound healing and fibrosis.…”