EVALUATION AND COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF MALE AND FEMALE TREE LEAVES OF CARICA PAPAYA LINN. AGAINST CLINICAL ISOLATES.

Abstract

Background: The significant emergence of antimicrobial resistance has sparked considerable interest in plant-based alternatives for managing infections. As resistant bacteria continue to spread rapidly, current antimicrobial treatments offer limited therapeutic options. Objectives: This study investigates the antibacterial potential of ethanolic extracts of Carica papaya male and female tree leaves against clinically isolated strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Methodology: Varying concentrations of the extract (25–100 mg/mL) were tested using the agar well diffusion method, with Moxifloxacin serving as the positive control and DMSO as the negative control. Results: Among the four bacterial strains tested, both male and female Carica papaya leaf extracts showed concentration-dependent antibacterial activity, with female extracts demonstrating consistently stronger effects. At 100 mg/mL, female extracts produced the largest zones of inhibition, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria (S. epidermidis and S. aureus). MIC and MBC tests confirmed significant antibacterial activity of female extracts at higher concentrations (≥75 mg/mL), especially against Gram-positive strains. In contrast, male extracts exhibited weaker antibacterial effects, with limited activity observed only at 100 mg/mL for S. epidermidis and S. aureus, and no detectable activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Conclusions: The findings suggest that Carica papaya male and female leaf extract holds promise as a natural antimicrobial agent, especially against Gram-positive pathogens. Further phytochemical and pharmacological studies are needed to isolate the active compounds and explore their therapeutic potential.