PubMed-compiled information sheet
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Compiled from 19 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Vasconcellea quercifolia, also known as oak leaved papaya, is a plant species characterized by a latex rich in proteolytic enzymes [PMID:20873836, PMID:22790602].
Background
Vasconcellea quercifolia (Caricaceae) is referred to as "oak leaved papaya" [PMID:20873836, PMID:22790602].
Active compounds
The latex of V. quercifolia contains several cysteine endopeptidases with high proteolytic activity, including a specific protease named quercifoliain I and another named VQ-VII [PMID:20873836, PMID:22790602, PMID:23568402].
Mechanism of action
Cysteine endopeptidases in V. quercifolia serve as a defense mechanism for the plant [PMID:22790602, PMID:23568402]. Quercifoliain I demonstrates high substrate specificity, specifically restricting cleavage of the insulin B-chain to glycyl and alanyl residues at the P1' position [PMID:20873836]. VQ-VII is a broad-specificity peptidase inhibited by E-64 and iodoacetic acid [PMID:23568402].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DProbiotic viability (in vitro)
Flour from the unripe fruit of V. quercifolia exhibited a symbiotic effect on the probiotic strains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis in fermented milk, increasing viable cells to 10.20 and 11.19 log CFU/mL respectively after 21 days [PMID:36936124]
Evidence summary
The available evidence consists of in vitro laboratory studies focusing on the biochemical characterization of proteolytic enzymes in the latex and the prebiotic potential of unripe fruit flour; there are no human clinical trials.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 36936124 (2023) — Milk fermentation with prebiotic flour of Vasconcellea quercifolia A.St.-Hil. · Journal of food science and technology
- 2.PMID: 22790602 (2012) — Characterization of the proteolytic system present in Vasconcellea quercifolia latex. · Planta
- 3.PMID: 20873836 (2010) — Purification and characterization of a cysteine endopeptidase from Vasconcellea quercifolia A. St.-Hil. latex displaying high substrate specificity. · Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
- 4.PMID: 23568402 (2013) — Biochemical characterization of VQ-VII, a cysteine peptidase with broad specificity, isolated from Vasconcellea quercifolia latex. · Planta