This research article published by Academic Journals, Vol. 16(4), 2022
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, antiproliferative activity and cytotoxicity of Carica
papaya black seeds against the prostate cancer cells and Vero cells. Phytochemical screening was
performed by standard procedures. Methyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability assay was used to
evaluate the antiproliferative effect of crude extracts in prostate cancer cells against the control.
Phytocompounds, namely flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, glycosides and saponins were
found in the crude extracts. All papaya seeds’ extracts had antiproliferative activity towards prostate
cancer cells. Ethyl acetate extract was found with higher antiproliferative activity with IC50 of 3.64 µg/ml.
The crude extracts were not toxic towards Vero cells as compared to the control. Isolation and
characterization of active compounds from herein crude extracts and papaya black seeds are therefore
recommended for future studies.