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Graviola (Soursop) | | |
The graviola tree is found in tropical regions of North and South America.
In countries like Brazil, graviola fruit is commonly sold in local
markets. All parts of the tree have been used medicinally with each being
associated with different health properties. Compounds within graviola,
and related species, called annonaceous acetogenins have been shown to
target `MDR' cancer cells or multi-drug resistant cancer cells in
laboratory in vitro and animal studies. Other studies have revealed
that graviola has effective anti-parasitic and hypotensive properties
suggesting it may have benefits for internal parasites, bacteria, worms,
and for lowering blood pressure. While further clinical trials are
required to confirm the efficacy of graviola on humans, the research to
date looks very promising for this rainforest plant.
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| Common Name | | | Graviola (Soursop)
| | | Botanical Latin Name / Classification | | | Annona muricata
| | | Parts Used | | | Leaves, fruit, seeds, bark, roots
| | | Other Names | | | Soursop, Brazilian Paw Paw, Guanábana, Guanábano, Guanavana,
Guanaba, Corossol Épineux, Huanaba, Toge-Banreisi, Durian Benggala,
Nangka Blanda, Cachiman épineux, Annona Macrocarpa, A. Bonplandiana,
A. Cearensis, Guanabanus Muricatus.
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| | | Description | | | Graviola is a small, upright evergreen tree, 5-6 m high, with large,
glossy, dark green leaves. It produces a large, heart-shaped, edible fruit
that is 15-20 cm in diameter, is yellow-green in color, and has white
flesh inside. Graviola is indigenous to most of the warmest tropical areas
in South and North America, including the Amazon. The fruit is sold in
local markets in the tropics, where it is called guan bana in
Spanish-speaking countries and graviola in Brazil. The fruit pulp is
excellent for making drinks and sherbets and, though slightly sour-acid,
can be eaten out of hand.
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| | | Traditional Internal Uses | | | All parts of the graviola tree are used in natural medicine in the
tropics, including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit, and fruit seeds.
Different properties and uses are attributed to the different parts of the
tree. Generally, the fruit and fruit juice are taken for worms and
parasites, to cool fevers, to increase mother's milk after childbirth, and
as an astringent for diarrhea and dysentery. The crushed seeds are used
against internal and external parasites, head lice, and worms. The bark,
leaves, and roots are considered sedative, antispasmodic, hypotensive, and
nervine, and a tea is made for various disorders toward those
effects.
Graviola has a long, rich history of use in herbal
medicine as well as a lengthy recorded indigenous use. In the Peruvian
Andes, a leaf tea is used for catarrh (inflammation of mucous membranes)
and the crushed seed is used to kill parasites. In the Peruvian Amazon the
bark, roots, and leaves are used for diabetes and as a sedative and
antispasmodic. Indigenous tribes in Guyana use a leaf and/or bark tea as a
sedative and heart tonic. In the Brazilian Amazon a leaf tea is used for
liver problems, and the oil of the leaves and unripe fruit is mixed with
olive oil and used externally for neuralgia, rheumatism, and arthritis
pain. In Jamaica, Haiti, and the West Indies the fruit and/or fruit juice
is used for fevers, parasites and diarrhea; the bark or leaf is used as an
antispasmodic, sedative, and nervine for heart conditions, coughs, flu,
difficult childbirth, asthma, hypertension, and parasites.
Teas are
made from the Graviola root, bark and leaves as a sedative and a nerve
tonic, as well as to help maintain healthy glucose levels. In other parts
of the world, such as the Polynesian Islands, Graviola tea is consumed
daily to elevate mood and increase quality of life.
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| | | Indications | | | Primary Indications: Cancer / Cancer Prevention, Tumors
Secondary Indications: Parasites / Parasitic Infections, Worms, Ringworms, Tapeworms, Pinworms
Other Indications: Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), Depression, Nervous System / Nervous Disorders, Nursing / Lactation, Diarrhea (Diarrhoea), Diabetes (Type I / Type II), Neuralgia (Nerve Pain), Rheumatism, Arthritis, Flu / Influenza, Asthma
Other Indications: Stress / Anxiety, Fever, Catarrh, Coughing
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| | | Actions | | | Anti-Carcinogenic, Antibacterial, Anticancer / Antitumor, Anticatarrh, Anticonvulsant, Antidepressant, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antimutagenic, Antiparasitic, Antirheumatic, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Emetic, Hypotensive (Anti-Hypertensive), Insecticidal, Nervine, Sedative, Uterine Stimulant, Vasodilator, Heart Tonic
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| | | Constituents / Nutrients | | | Many active compounds and chemicals have been found in graviola, as
scientists have been studying its properties since the 1940s. Most of the
research on graviola focuses on a novel set of chemicals called
Annonaceous acetogenins. Graviola produces these natural compounds in its
leaf and stem, bark, and fruit seeds. Three separate research groups have
confirmed that these chemicals have significant antitumorous properties
and selective toxicity against various types of cancer cells (without
harming healthy cells) publishing eight clinical studies on their
findings. Many of the acetogenins have demonstrated selective toxicity to
tumor cells at very low dosages-as little as 1 part per million. Four
studies were published in 1998 which further specify the chemicals and
acetogenins in graviola which are demonstrating the strongest
anticancerous, antitumorous, and antiviral properties. In a 1997 clinical
study, novel alkaloids found in graviola fruit exhibited antidepressive
effects in animals.
Annonaceous acetogenins are only found in the
Annonaceae family (to which graviola belongs). These chemicals in general
have been documented with antitumorous, antiparasitic, insecticidal, and
antimicrobial activities. Mode of action studies in three separate
laboratories have recently determined that these acetogenins are superb
inhibitors of enzyme processes that are only found in the membranes of
cancerous tumor cells. This is why they are toxic to cancer cells but have
no toxicity to healthy cells. Purdue University, in West Lafayette,
Indiana, has conducted a great deal of the research on the acetogenins,
much of which, has been funded by The National Cancer Institute and/or the
National Institute of Health (NIH). Thus far, Purdue University and/or its
staff have filed at least nine U.S. and/or international patents on their
work around the antitumorous and insecticidal properties and uses of these
acetogenins.
The Annonaceous acetogenins discovered in graviola
thus far include: annocatalin, annohexocin, annomonicin, annomontacin,
annomuricatin A & B, annomuricin A thru E, annomutacin, annonacin,
annonacinone, annopentocin A thru C, cis-annonacin, cis-corossolone,
cohibin A thru D, corepoxylone, coronin, corossolin, corossolone,
donhexocin, epomuricenin A & B, gigantetrocin, gigantetrocin A & B,
gigantetrocinone, gigantetronenin, goniothalamicin, iso-annonacin,
javoricin, montanacin, montecristin, muracin A thru G, muricapentocin,
muricatalicin, muricatalin, muri-catenol, muricatetrocin A & B muricatin
D, muricatocin A thru C muricin H, muricin I, muricoreacin, murihexocin 3,
murihexocin A thru C, murihexol, murisolin, robustocin, rolliniastatin 1 &
2, saba-delin, solamin, uvariamicin I & IV, xylomaticin.
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| | | Pharmacological Summary | | | There are dozens of in vitro laboratory tests on graviola. While some of
these studies show graviola to have anti-viral, anti-parasitic and potent
anti-cancer properties, we do not know if extracts from graviola have the
same effect in humans. Until human trials are done, it is difficult to
make any recommendations regarding graviola. Does graviola work well when
taken as a supplement? What is the ideal dosage? How often should graviola
be taken and for how long? These are questions that still need to be
answered through rigorous research. However, some of the studies
regarding graviola's anti-cancer potential are intriguing and certainly
worthwhile to further explore.
It is important to make the
distinction between graviola and paw paw fruit. While graviola is also
called `Brazilian paw paw', the studies concerning MDR cancer cells were
performed with genuine paw paw fruit, a close relative of graviola. Both
graviola and paw paw contain acetogenins, however, those within paw paw
are more powerful and, therefore, more effective at targeting and killing
cancer cells. Nevertheless, graviola still operates, bio-chemically, in a
similar fashion to paw paw, but with a somewhat less pronounced effect.
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| | | Scientific Research and Pharmacologicial Actions | | | In an 1976 plant screening program by the National Cancer Institute,
graviola leaves and stem showed active toxicity against cancer cells and
researchers have been following up on these findings since. Thus far,
specific acetogenins in graviola and/or extracts of graviola have been
reported to be selectively toxic in vitro to these types of tumor cells:
lung carcinoma cell lines; human breast solid tumor lines; prostate
adenocarcinoma; pancreatic carcinoma cell lines; colon adenocarcinoma cell
lines; liver cancer cell lines; human lymphoma cell lines; and multi-drug
resistant human breast adenocarcinoma. Researchers in Taiwan reported in
2003 that the main graviola acetogenin, annonacin, was highly toxic to
ovarian, cervical, breast, bladder and skin cancer cell lines at very low
dosages saying; ". . . annonacin is a promising anti-cancer agent and
worthy of further animal studies and, we would hope, clinical
trials."
In 1997, Purdue University published information with
promising news that several of the Annonaceous acetogenins were " . . .
not only are effective in killing tumors that have proven resistant to
anti-cancer agents, but also seem to have a special affinity for such
resistant cells." In several interviews after this information was
publicized, the head pharmacologist in Purdue's research explained how
this worked. As he explains it, cancer cells that survive chemotherapy can
develop resistance to the agent originally used as well as to other, even
unrelated, drugs. This phenomenon is called multi-drug resistance
(MDR).
One of the main ways that cancer cells develop resistance to
chemotherapy drugs is by creating an intercellular pump which is capable
of pushing anticancer agents out of the cell before they can kill it. On
average, only about two percent of the cancer cells in any given person
might develop this pump-but they are the two percent that can eventually
grow and expand to create multi-drug-resistant tumors. Some of the latest
research on acetogenins reported that they were capable of shutting down
these intercellular pumps, thereby killing multi-drug-resistant
tumors.
Purdue researchers reported that the acetogenins
preferentially killed multi-drug-resistant cancer cells by blocking the
transfer of ATP-the chief source of cellular energy-into them. A tumor
cell needs energy to grow and reproduce, and a great deal more to run its
pump and expel attacking agents. By inhibiting energy to the cell , it can
no longer run its pump. When acetogenins block ATP to the tumor cell over
time, the cell no longer has enough energy to operate sustaining
processes-and it dies. Normal cells seldom develop such a pump; therefore,
they don't require large amounts of energy to run a pump and, generally,
are not adversely affected by ATP inhibitors.
Purdue researchers
reported that 14 different acetogenins tested thus far demonstrate potent
ATP-blocking properties (including several found only in graviola). They
also reported that 13 of these 14 acetogenins tested were more potent
against MDR breast cancer cells than all three of the standard drugs
(adriamycin, vincristine, and vinblastine) they used as
controls.
An interesting in vivo study was published in
March of 2002 by researchers in Japan, who were studying various
acetogenins found in several species of plants. They inoculated mice with
lung cancer cells. One third received nothing (the control group), one
third received the chemotherapy drug adriamycin, and one third received
the main graviola acetogenin, annonacin (at a dosage of 10 mg/kg). At the
end of two weeks, five of the six in the untreated control group were
still alive and lung tumor sizes were then measured. The adriamycin group
showed a 54.6% reduction of tumor mass over the control group-but 50% of
the animals had died from toxicity (three of six). The mice receiving
annonacin were all still alive, and the tumors were inhibited by
57.9%-slightly better than adriamycin-and without toxicity. This led the
researchers to summarize; "This suggested that annonacin was less toxic in
mice. On considering the antitumor activity and toxicity, annonacin might
be used as a lead to develop a potential anticancer agent."
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| | | Research | | | "A Friendly Skeptic Looks At Graviola"
"Graviola: Alternative Cancer Therapy"
"Graviola: Billion Dollar Company Nearly Squashes Research"
"Graviola: Herbal Secret of the Rain Forest"
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| | | Precautions / Contraindications | | | Graviola has demonstrated uterine stimulant activity in an animal study
(rats) and should therefore not be used during pregnancy.
Graviola
has demonstrated hypotensive, vasodilator, and cardiodepressant activities
in animal studies and is contraindicated for people with low blood
pressure. People taking antihypertensive drugs should check with their
doctors before taking graviola and monitor their blood pressure
accordingly (as medications may need adjusting).
Graviola has
demonstrated significant in vitro antimicrobial properties.
Chronic, long-term use of this plant may lead to die-off of friendly
bacteria in the digestive tract due to its antimicrobial properties.
Supplementing the diet with probiotics and digestive enzymes is advisable
if this plant is used for longer than 30 days.
Graviola has
demonstrated emetic properties in one animal study with pigs. Large single
dosages may cause nausea or vomiting. Reduce the usage accordingly if this
occurs.
One study with rats given a stem-bark extract
intragastrically (at 100 mg/kg) reported an increase in dopamine,
norepinephrine, and monomine oxidase activity, as well as a inhibition of
serotonin release in stress-induced rats.
Alcohol extracts of
graviola leaf showed no toxicity or side effects in mice at 100 mg/kg;
however, at a dosage of 300 mg/kg, a reduction in explorative behavior and
mild abdominal constrictions was observed. If sedation or sleepiness
occurs, reduce the amount used.
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| | | Interaction with Medications | | | None have been reported; however, graviola may potentiate antihypertensive
and cardiac depressant drugs. It may potentiate antidepressant drugs and
interfere with MAO-inhibitor drugs. See contraindications above.
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| | | Possible Side Effects | | | None documented.
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| | | Dosage | | | The therapeutic dosage is reported to be 2 g (2000 mg) three times daily
in capsules or tablets.
A standard infusion (one cup 3 times daily)
or a 4:1 standard tincture (2-4 mL three times daily) can be substituted
if desired.
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| | | References | | | Our thanks to the following information resources: Rain-tree.com,
and Raysahelian.com.
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| | 2 total products | | | Graviola (Soursop) (Read all about Graviola (Soursop).)
Botanical Latin Name: Annona muricata
Plant Part: Leaves, fruit, seeds, bark, roots | |
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Graviola (Soursop) - Health - Super Immunity Complex Powder - Graviola, Astragalus, Green Tea and More
4 oz / 114 g
26.22 US
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Graviola (Soursop) - Health - Super Immunity Complex Powder - Graviola, Astragalus, Green Tea and More
1 oz / 28 g
11.84 US
In Stock - Ships Today!
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
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