Abstract:
The consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased in recent years due to their health benefits as fruits
and vegetables contain secondary metabolites, those has been reported to possess different pharmacological effects
against many human ailments. In the current study antioxidants, antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of leaves and fruit
extracts of Carica papaya were evaluated. The antioxidant activities of plant extracts were carried out by using 2,2 –
diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl. (DPPH), H2O2, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and reducing
power assays and were compared with standards compounds (Ascorbic acid and Rutin). Antibacterial and antifungal
activities of leaves and fruit extracts were assessed against four bacterial and fungal strains and also their minimum
inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were calculated. Whereas for evaluation of cytotoxicity of plant extracts, brine
shrimps cytotoxic assay was performed. Plant extracts were finally analyzed for phytochemicals by using UV/Visible
spectrophotometer and High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results indicates that plants extracts
contained important compounds (phenols, flavonoids and other secondary metabolites) those have higher antioxidants
and antimicrobial as well as lower proportion of MIC values. Whereas cytotoxic index of plant extracts were minor that
specifies its appropriateness to use as a pharmaceutical materials probably be essential for drugs preparation. It is
expected that such drugs could be lesser toxic and have lower cost as compared to drugs already available in market
