Annona muricata (The cancer killer): A review

The Global Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 2(1), pp. 1613-1618, 31 Mar, 2013; www.tgjpr.com
and as cardio depressant (slowing of
heart rate).
Common Names
Soursop, Paw-Paw, Graviola,
Guanabana, Adunu, Sorasaka, Mullaatha,
Thorny custard apple, Shul-ram-fal,
Hanuman fal.
Plant profile
Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Angiosperms
Class : Magnoliids
Order : Magnoliales
Family : Annonaceae
Genus : Annona
Species : A. Muricata
Traditional Ethnobotanical Uses
For diarrhea (fruit), cough,
hypertension, rheumatism, tumors,
cancer, asthma, childbirth, lactagogue
(fruit), malaria, tranquillizer, skin
rashes, parasites, worms liver
problems, arthritis(used externally) 13 .
Traditionally, the leaves are used for
headaches, insomnia, cystisitis, liver
problems, diabetes and as anti-
inflammatory, anti- spasmodic and anti-
dysenteric. The decoction of the leaves
have parasiticide, anti- rheumatic and
neuralgic effects when used internally,
while the cooked leaves , applied
topically, fight rheumatism and
abscesses 10 .
Description
Soursop (Annona muricata) is a
broadleaf, flowering, evergreen tree native
to Mexico, Cuba, Central America, the
Caribbean andnorthern SouthAmerica
Colombia, Brazil, Peru and Venezuela.
Soursop also grows in sub-Saharan
African countries that lie within the tropics.
Today, it is also grown in some areas
of Southeast Asia as well as in some
Pacific islands. It was most likely brought
from Mexico to the Philippines by way of
the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade. It is in
the same genus as the chirimoya and the
same family as the pawpaw.
The soursop is adapted to areas of
high humidity and relatively warm winters;
temperatures below 5°C (41 °F) will cause
damage to leaves and small branches,
and temperatures below 3°C (37 °F) can
be fatal. The fruit becomes dry and is no
longer good for concentrate.
Cultivation
The plant is grown as a
commercial crop for its 20–30 cm (7.9–12
in) long, prickly, green fruit, which can
have a mass of up to 2.5 kg (5.5 lb).
Away from its native area, there is some
limited production as far north as
southern Florida within USDA Zone 10;
however, these are mostly garden
plantings for local consumption. It is also
grown in parts of Southeast Asia and
abundant on the Island of Mauritius. The
soursop will reportedly fruit as a container
specimen, even in temperate climates, if
protected from cool temperatures
Chemical constituents
Among the chemical constituents found
in A. muricata, the alkaloids (reticulin,
coreximine, coclarine and anomurine) and
Mishra et al. 1614