Sunday, July 20, 2025

Daun Betik -Carica papaya L.

 




Daun Betik (Papaya Leaf): A Healing Herb from Tropical Nature

Scientific Name: Carica papaya L.
Common Names: Papaya leaf, Daun betik (Malay), Papaya foliage
Family: Caricaceae

Papaya is widely known for its sweet fruit, but its leaves—especially in traditional medicine—hold potent therapeutic value. Known locally in Malaysia as Daun Betik, the leaves of the Carica papaya plant have been used for generations in various healing systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and folk remedies.

TCM Properties

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Daun Betik is not a classical herb, but based on its energetic characteristics and pharmacological effects, its properties can be interpreted as follows:

  • Nature (Qi): Cool

  • Flavour (Wei): Bitter

  • Channels Entered: Liver, Spleen, Stomach

  • TCM Functions:

    • Clears heat and detoxifies

    • Regulates Qi and promotes digestion

    • Dispels dampness and reduces swelling

Daun Betik is often considered useful for heat-related conditions, infections, digestive stagnation, and swelling, especially from viral or toxic origins.

Health Benefits

  1. Antiviral & Antibacterial

    • Notably used in Southeast Asia for dengue fever. It is believed to help improve platelet counts and reduce the severity of infection.

    • Exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.

  2. Digestive Aid

    • Contains enzymes like papain and chymopapain that support protein digestion and relieve bloating or indigestion.

  3. Anti-inflammatory

    • Used for conditions involving swelling, fever, and inflammation, including arthritis and inflammatory bowel disorders.

  4. Blood Sugar Regulation

    • Shown to help in lowering blood glucose levels, potentially beneficial for diabetic management.

  5. Anti-cancer Properties

    • Early research indicates apoptosis-inducing (cell-killing) activity in cancer cells, particularly in breast, cervical, and pancreatic cancer lines.

  6. Menstrual Pain & Hormonal Balance

    • Traditionally used to ease menstrual cramps and promote uterine health.

  7. Antioxidant Effects

    • Rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, helping protect against oxidative stress and aging.

Phytochemicals

Papaya leaf is chemically rich, containing both enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds:

  • Enzymes:

    • Papain

    • Chymopapain

    • Amylase

    • Protease

  • Alkaloids:

    • Carpaine – noted for its cardiotonic and antimalarial effects

    • Pseudo-carpaine

  • Flavonoids:

    • Quercetin

    • Kaempferol

    • Myricetin

  • Phenolic acids:

    • Caffeic acid

    • Gallic acid

  • Saponins, Tannins, and Glycosides

    • Contributing to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities.

Ongoing & Recent Research

Several modern studies have sparked global interest in the medicinal properties of Daun Betik:

🧪 1. Dengue Fever Treatment

  • Clinical Trials in Malaysia, India, and the Philippines have shown that papaya leaf juice significantly increases platelet counts in patients with dengue fever, often within 48–72 hours.

  • A 2021 meta-analysis concluded that Carica papaya leaf extract could be a complementary therapy for dengue, but more large-scale, standardized studies are needed.

🧪 2. Anti-cancer Research

  • Researchers in Japan and the USA found papaya leaf extract to induce cytotoxic effects on tumor cells while sparing normal cells.

  • Studies on carpaine alkaloid show potential for preventing cancer cell proliferation.

🧪 3. Diabetes and Blood Sugar Control

  • Animal studies show promising hypoglycemic effects. Ongoing human trials in Indonesia and Thailand are testing its use as an adjunctive natural therapy in Type 2 diabetes.

🧪 4. Antioxidant and Anti-aging

  • Cosmetic industries are exploring fermented papaya and leaf extract for anti-wrinkle and skin-brightening properties.

  • Research into its DNA-protective properties under oxidative stress is underway.

🧪 5. Antimalarial Applications

  • Daun betik contains carpaine, which has shown antiplasmodial activity in preliminary screenings.

Traditional Uses Across Cultures

  • Malay Traditional Medicine: Used as a bitter tonic, worm expeller, and to ease digestion. Boiled and taken during fevers.

  • Ayurveda: Used for liver detoxification and to balance Kapha-Pitta dosha.

  • Folk Practices: Juice or decoction is given to women post-delivery to aid in uterine contraction and recovery.

Safety & Precautions

  • High doses of raw papaya leaf juice may cause gastric irritation or nausea.

  • Pregnant women are advised to avoid due to potential uterotonic effects.

  • Possible interactions with blood-thinning medications due to platelet effects—use cautiously.

Conclusion

Daun Betik is a versatile, bioactive-rich herb that offers a bridge between traditional healing and modern science. While traditionally regarded as a bitter tonic herb for fevers and digestion, today it is being explored globally for its antiviral, anticancer, and metabolic benefits. With ongoing research, Daun Betik is emerging as a scientifically validated, multi-targeted botanical remedy.


Reference  -Compile By chat GPT

  • Subenthiran, S., Choon, T. C., Cheong, K. C., Thayan, R., Teck, M. B., Muniandy, P. K., ... & Ismail, Z. (2013). Carica papaya leaves juice significantly accelerates the rate of increase in platelet count among patients with dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, Article ID 616737. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/616737

  • Imaga, N. A., & Gbenle, G. O. (2010). Antisickling effect of Carica papaya leaf extract. African Journal of Biochemistry Research, 4(6), 156–160.

  • Otsuki, N., Dang, N. H., Kumagai, E., Kondo, A., Iwata, S., & Morimoto, C. (2010). Aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaves exhibits anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory effects. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 127(3), 760–767. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.11.024

  • Aruoma, O. I., Landes, B., Ramful-Baboolall, D., Bourdon, E., Neergheen-Bhujun, V. S., Wagner, K. H., ... & Bahorun, T. (2010). Functional benefits of papaya and its phytochemicals: Role in human health and disease. Phytotherapy Research, 24(4), 501–506. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3031

  • Senthilkumar, P. K., & Kim, J. S. (2012). Antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of Carica papaya leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2(6), 439–442. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60074-4

  • Zakaria, Z. A., Sulaiman, M. R., Mat Jais, A. M., & Somchit, M. N. (2006). The antinociceptive activity of Carica papaya leaf extract. Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, 13(1), 13–17.

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