Guyabano research

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International Standard Serial Number (ISSN): 2319-8141
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INTRODUCTION:
Medicinal plants are considered to be the main sources of biologically active compounds that can be
used for the treatment of various ailments including cancer. Out of the 250,000-500,000 plant
species on the earth, only 1-10% have been studied chemically and pharmacologically for their
potential medicinal value especially for chemotherapeutic effect [1]. The era of chemotherapy began
in 1940s with the first use of nitrogen mustards and antifolate drugs [2]. Thereafter, cancer drug discovery and development have been the major research endeavour around the globe as evidenced
by several peer-reviewed papers in the scientific literature [3]. Excessive free radical formation is one of the hallmarks of cancer cells. Several studies have shown that plant-derived antioxidant
neutraceuticals scavenge free radicals and modulate oxidative stress-related effects [4]. Various compounds isolated from plants are known to be effective against proliferating cells. They exhibit
cytotoxic effects either by damaging DNA or by locking the formation of mitotic spindle during
stages of cell division [5]. However, most of the cytotoxic chemopreventive drugs exhibit side
effects [6] at some point of time during therapy, and hence, there is a need to isolate compounds that
are potent and selective with minimal side effects on normal cells [7].
The fruit-pulp is soft with an agreeably sour flavour. It is usually eaten raw but unfortunately
contains a quantity of fibre. It may be more acceptable after some preparation that is either as juice,
ice-cream, jellies but not jams. Commonly called Soursop,
Annona muricata
is a plant, which
belongs to the family Annonaceae. H. M. Burkill in the Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa
described the Soursop plant as "a small tree attaining a height of about eight metre. A native of
tropical America, but now widespread in the tropics, it is thought to have reached Africa (Angola) by
1686. The trunk and timber do not appear to have any particular uses." Soursop is a medicinal plant
that has been used as a natural remedy for a variety of illnesses. Several studies by different
researchers demonstrated that the bark as well as the leaves has anti-hypertensive, vasodilator, anti-
spasmodic (smooth muscle relaxant) and cardio depressant (slowing of heart rate) activities in
animals. Researchers had re-verified Soursop leaf's hypotensive (reduce blood pressure) properties in
rats. Other properties and actions of Soursop documented by traditional uses include its use as anti-
cancerous, antidiabetes, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-malarial, anti-mutagenic (cellular protector),
emetic (induce vomiting), anti-convulsant, sedative (induces sleep), insecticidal and uterine
stimulant (helps in childbirth). It is also believed to be a digestive stimulant, antiviral, cardio tonic
(tones, balances and strengthens the heart), febrifuge (cures fever), nerviness (balances/calms the
nerves), vermifuge (expels worms), pediculocide (kills lice) and as an analgesic (pain-reliever) [8].
Graviola (Soursop) belongs to the genus Annonaceae and comprises about 150 species. It is a small
tree of tropical South America, no more than 20 feet tall; the oblong to oval leaves are leathery, very


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International Standard Serial Number (ISSN): 2319-8141
Full Text Available On
www.ijupbs.com

dark and shiny green. They have a pungent odour when crushed. The tree has larger individual
yellow flowers on woody stalks (pedicels). Graviola fruit is prickly and oblong or somewhat curved;
with a length of 13 inch and a weight of up to 8 pound. The tree may bear fruits anywhere on its
trunk or branches. The fruit has 40 - to 100 black seeds. The creamy, aromatic pulp is used in ice
cream and as a juice: it is rich in vitamin B and C. It has a musky, sub - to acid flavour.
Common names -
Nangka blanda, soursop, guanabana, graviola, prickly custard apple, durian
benggala, zuurzak, Brazilian pawpaw, Sirsak, Sauersack [9].
RECENT ADVANCES IN CLINICAL RESEARCH OF
ANNONA MURICATA
Clinical research is a branch of healthcare scienc
e t
hat determines the safety and effectiveness
of 
medications,
devices,
diagnostic products
and
treatment regimens
intended for human use. These
may be used for prevention, treatment, diagnosis or for relieving symptoms of a disease. Clinical
Research is different from clinical practice. In clinical practice one uses established treatments,
while in clinical research evidence is collected to establish a treatment. The term clinical research
refers to the entire bibliography of a drug/device/biologic, in fact any test article from its inception in
the lab to its introduction to the consumer market and beyond. Once the promising candidate or the
molecule is identified in the lab, it is subjected to pre-clinical studies or animal studies where
different aspects of the test article (including its safety toxicity if applicable and efficacy, if possible
at this early stage) are studied.
There are many claims that the fruit of the Graviola tree can kill cancer far better than chemotherapy,
or can seek out and attack malignant cells. The most popular claim about Graviola is that the fruit is
10,000 times more effective than chemotherapy Soursop has many medicinal properties. And
various clinical researches are done on
Annona muricata
to prove its different medicinal activities.
Following are some clinical research done upon
Annona muricata

– 
Antibacterial activities,
Antinociceptive and Anti-ulcerogenic Activities, Anti Hyperglycemic , Anti Tumor Activities,
Antineoplastic Activities , Anti Ovarian Activities and Anticancer activities on different cell lines
like T47D cell lines. And Wound healing capacity, Chemo preventive potential, Antioxidant
activity.
1.

Antibacterial Activities:
Antibacterial effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of pods of soursop were examined against
Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli. The bioactivity of water-based soursop
extracts against S. aureus and V. cholerae may be related to the chemical structure of the active
substances. In an investigation of the bactericidal properties of eight species of annonaceae, it was
confirmed the ability of trachylobanoic acid to inhibit S. Aureus. Annonaceae contain other
bioactive substances, including a range of acetogenins with a wide spectrum of action, including








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