Papaya has been declared a new super fruit after scientists found that it can prevent and may be able to treat a wide range of cancers.
Researchers found that papaya was an effective anti-cancer agent against cervix, breast, liver, lung and pancreas cancers.
They tested their theories by using a tea made from the extracts of dried papaya leaves and put them in dishes which contain cancerous cells.
The team of researchers found that the papaya leaf extract boosted the production chemicals that regulate the immune system.
Scientists from the University of Florida, who were behind the study, say that papaya may be used as an alternative cancer treatment.
Dr Nam Dang, of the University of Florida, said the findings published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology were groundbreaking.
"Papaya has a dramatic anticancer effect against a broad range of lab-grown tumours, including cancers of the cervix, breast, liver, lung and pancreas," he said.
"Papaya has a dramatic anticancer effect against a broad range of lab-grown tumours, including cancers of the cervix, breast, liver, lung and pancreas," he said.
"Papaya leaf extract boosts the production of key signalling molecules called Th1-type cytokines.
"This regulation of the immune system, in addition to papaya's direct anti tumour effect on various cancers, suggests possible therapeutic strategies that use the immune system to fight cancers."
Dr Dang said researchers found no side effects to taking papaya leaf as a treatment in their tests.
"The papaya extract did not have any toxic effects on normal cells, avoiding a common and devastating consequence of many cancer therapy regimens," he said.
"The success of the papaya extract in acting on cancer without toxicity is consistent with reports from indigenous populations in Australia and Vietnam.
"Based on what I have seen and heard in a clinical setting, nobody who takes this extract experiences demonstrable toxicity; it seems like you could take it for a long time as long as it is effective."
Dr Dang said the results suggested that the papaya extract induced cell death.
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