The Use of the Carica Papaya L. to Treat PsoriasisWilmarie Morales Soto

What is Psoriasis?Psoriasis is a noncontagious common

skin condition that causes rapid skin cell reproduction resulting in red, dry patches of thickened skin.

The dry flakes and skin scales are thought to result from the rapid buildup of skin cells. Psoriasis commonly affects the skin of the elbows, knees, and scalp.

It’s considered a non-curable, long-term (chronic) skin condition.

Psoriasis can be seen in people of any age, from babies to seniors, most common patients are first diagnosed in their early adult years.

It is considered to be the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the U.S.

It is estimated to affect approximately 1%-3% of the U.S. population (7 to 8 million people).

The exact cause of psoriasis remains unknown.

There may be a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition and environmental factors.

It is common for psoriasis to be found in members of the same family.

If one parent has psoriasis the child has a 10% chance of having psoriasis. If both parents have disease the probability is 50%.

Types of Psoriasis:Most common being psoriasis

vulgaris. About eighty percent of people who

have psoriasis have psoriasis vulgaris.

Psoriasis vulgaris is characterized for defined patches of red raised skin that can appear on any area of skin, although the knees, elbows, and trunk are the most common locations.

There are many treatment choices for psoriasis.

These treatments are very expensive.

Direct and indirect costs associated with the treatment of psoriasis is about 11.25 billion dollars per year.

Types of treatments: Topical (skin applied)

medications (corticosteroids, vitamin D analogue creams, topical retinoids, moisturizers, and others)

Biologics (modulate and sometime suppress the immune system that is overactive in psoriasis)

Although the previous medications were used with positive results for the treatment of psoriasis, some side effects can be developed on patients.

Like: Potential permanent skin thinning and damage

called atrophy absorption of the drug and an abnormal rise in body

calcium levels skin infections malignancies (cancers).

Some biologics drugs were removed from the U.S. market due to reported safety concerns for the development of a serious brain infection, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).

Psoriasis and arthritis:

Psoriasis is also associated with joint problems in about 10%-35% of patients. The joint disease associated with psoriasis is referred to as psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory, destructive form of arthritis. The average age for onset of psoriatic arthritis is 30-40 years of age. In most cases, the skin symptoms occur before the onset of the arthritis.

ObjectivesFind a natural remedy, to

treat psoriasis and lower the possibility and severity of side effects.

Evaluate the use of papaya (Carica Papaya L.) for the treatment of psoriasis.

Why Papaya?

Scientific and medical research has been conducted in regards to the use of papaya for several health conditions.

Such as:Papaya enzymes for digestive

disorders Parasite treatment (seed extract)Conditions related to the immune

system and others.

Traditional/Popular Medicine:The papaya is used to treat

several skin conditions such as:WartsScarsAcneBurnsPsoriasis

Hypothesis

The papaya treatment will improve the psoriasis symptoms.

The latex found in the leaf will be the more effective treatment.

Materials and Methodology

50 volunteers with psoriasis vulgaris, from the ages of 30-40.

Before the tests commence, all volunteers will be tested for possible allergies to the Carica Papaya L.

Papayas will be organically grown (without fertilizers, pesticides and preservatives) to avoid chemical substances from intervening with the possible curative effect of the plant.

Using the pulp and the latex of the leaf.

The volunteers will be divided into two groups (25).

One group will be administered the pulp treatment.

The other group will be given the latex treatment.

Each participant will have a record which will contain observations done before, after, and during the treatment.

Observations will be done before the treatment begins.

The level of inflammation, the redness of the area, the amount and severity of eruptions, and the size of the infected area are all aspects that will be taken into consideration.

Each person will apply compresses that contain the substance of each corresponding group over the affected area.

For ten minutes twice a day during a period of two weeks.

The area will be washed with distilled water only.

While the treatment is being administered, annotations will be made of the progression of the disease or the reduction of symptoms.

After treatment is complete final observations will be made.

The state of the skin of each individual at the end of the treatment will be compared with the condition before the treatment.

The collected data will be compared between both groups.

Expected ResultsAfter receiving the papaya

treatment at least 60% of the participants will show a significant improvement in the condition of the psoriasis.

The participants treated with the latex compresses will show a significant improvement sooner than those that were treated with the pulp.

References

Dawson, E. (1998). The medicinal properties of the papaya, Carica papaya L. Retrieved on June 23, 2011 from: http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1366&context=ebl&sei-redir=1#search=%22carica%20papaya%20psoriasis%22

Mojica-Henshaw, M.P., Francisco, A.D., Guzman, F., and Tigno, X.T. (2003). Possible immunomodulatory actions of Carica Papaya seed extract. Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation. Vol.29, Num. 3-4, pp. 219-229.

National Psoriasis Foundation. Statistics about psoriasis. Retrieve on of June 20, 2011 from: http://www.psoriasis.org/learn_statistics

Papaya. Retrieved on June 24, 2011 from: http://www.drugs.com/npp/papaya.html

 Psoriasis. Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieve on June 20, 2011 from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/psoriasis.html

Psoriasis. Retrieved on June 23, 2011from: http://www.medicinenet.com/psoriasis/article.htm#

 Psoriasis: treatments and drugs. Mayo Clinic Staff. Retrieved on une 20, 2011 from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/psoriasis/DS00193/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs