American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

PAPAYA. Carica papaya.
Synonyms—Papaw, Pawpaw, Melon-tree.
Part Employed—An active principle obtained from the juice of the unripe
fruit.
CONSTITUENTS—
The active principle has been variously named papain, papaotin,
papoid or caroid. It is precipitated by alcohol, is a nitrogenous principle
approximating in character a true albuminoid, and is associated with
vegetable peptones and a milk-curdling ferment.
Description and Administration—It is a powder of cream-white color,
almost odorless and with but little taste. It is easily soluble in water and
also in glycerine. Dose, from one to three grains. A larger dose may be
given where immediate effects are desired, but is seldom necessary. It is
sometimes advisable to repeat the dose in from one to two hours.
The natives have long had a custom of wrapping fresh meat in the leaves
of the pawpaw, claiming that it prevented decomposition, softening it and
materially assisting its digestion. They also applied the juice to open and
offensive wounds, to cleanse them and promote healing.
Therapy—The indications for the use of papoid in treating digestive
disorders may be summarized somewhat as follows:
Actual and relative deficiency of the gastric juice or its constituents. (a)
Diminished secretion of gastric juice as a whole; apepsia, anemia and
deficient blood supply; wasting diseases.
(b) Diminished proportion of pepsin; atonic dyspepsia; atrophy of gastric
tubules.
(c) Diminution of hydrochloric acid—achlorhydria; carcinoma.
(d) Relative deficiency of gastric juice; overfeeding.
In gastric catarrh.
(a) Where there is tenacious mucus to be removed, thus enabling the food
to come in contact with the mucous membrane.
(b) Where there is impaired digestion.
In excessive secretion of acid, to prevent duodenal dyspepsia.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 97