In vitro antiproliferative effects of crude extracts of carica papaya linn (caricaceae family) black seeds against prostate cancer cell lines

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, cytotoxicity and antiproliferative activity of C. papaya black seeds against the Prostate cancer cells and Vero cells. The phytochemical screening was performed by means of standard procedures. Methyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability assay was employed in the evaluation of the cytotoxicity and antiproliferative activity of papaya crude extracts in the selected cell lines. Glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids tannins, flavonoids and saponins were found in papaya seeds’ crude extracts. The crude extracts were not toxic to Vero cells. All papaya seeds’ extracts had antiproliferative activity towards prostate cancer cells. Ethyl acetate extract was found with higher antiproliferative activity, with inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 3.64 µg/mL. Further scientific studies focusing on the isolation and characterization of active phytocompounds from crude extracts of papaya seeds are needed.