A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master’s in Life Sciences of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
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.