A Pharmacognostical Study of Carica Papayalinn( Carica Ceae )GROW in Egypt

Carica papya L. (Fean, Caricaoeae) is a palm-like tree conmion in tropical Africa and tropical America. It is widely cultivated for its edible fruits end the production of the proteolytic enzyme “papain” from latex of its unripe fruits. from pharmacological view point the leaves of the plant were stated to contain an alka1oi which ha diuretic, antidysentrio,pmaebicide and digitalis like actions, while the ripe fmis were reported to have stornaohic, carinina— tive and diuretic effects. On the other hand, seeds were used as vermif’.ge and enmienagogue. This plant was successfully acclimatized and cu1ti’ vated in Egypt since the 19th century. In spite of its reported medicinal importance, no work was reported dealing with the study o± the plant cultivated in Egypt. Therefore, this work was caxried out end is divided into two parts. Part I : A phytochemical study of the different organs viz., leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds of c. of papya L.This part includes a preliminary screening of the antibacterial and anticancer activity of the alkaloid scar— paine) isolated from leaves of the plant.Part II : A botanical study of the forementioned organs of c.papya L.. grown in Egypt, aiming for finding out the characteristic macro- and microscopical featues that help for identification of these organs both in the entire and powdered forms.