Parts of the graviola or Annona muricata tree, inlcuding the bark, leaves and roots, have been used for centuries as traditional medicine in many countries. Graviola is found in tropical areas, mainly Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. Graviola extracts exhibit numerous health properties, including laboratory effects against cancer cells. There are, however, no clinical cancer or safety studies of graviola use in humans. Use it cautiously.
Phytochemicals
A diverse class of small molecules known as phytochemicals is the active ingredient found in traditional plant-based medicines. These molecules provide numerous health effects, including anti-cancer effects. According to the February 1996 issue of the "Journal of Natural Products," Dr. Matthew J. Rieser extracted several phytochemical compounds from graviola, which in turn exhibited a significant effect against human colon cancer cell lines. Since this initial study, phytochemicals extracted from graviola have shown effects against human prostate, pancreatic and liver cancer cell lines.
Cell Death
As reported in the April 2002 issue of the "Journal of Natural Products," phytochemicals extracted from graviola successfully induced cytotoxicity or cell death in liver cancer cells. Other published studies on various extracted phytochemicals also exhibited an increased death of colon, prostate and pancreatic human cancer cell lines. The mechanism of action is not understood, nor is it known what effect these phytochemicals will have in animals or humans. Further studies are necessary.
Anti-Cellular Growth
In a November 2010 issue of "Molecules," Dr. J. Gomes de Melo reported a large experiment that tested the anti-proliferative or anti-cellular growth and antioxidant effects of numerous plants in Brazil against several human cancer cell lines. The study found that graviola had significant effects against cellular growth, but did not exhibit a strong antioxidant effect. The experiments were entirely lab based, and it is unclear what effect, if any, this plant will have against cancer in humans.
Side Effects
Although clinical safety studies have not been performed in humans, some case studies have indicated a potential danger from ingesting graviola. According to the January 2002 issue of "Movement Disorders," ingestion of graviola in Guadeloupe was attributed to a high incidence of Parkinson-like symptoms or uncontrollable shaking and tremors. The researchers found that phytochemicals in the plant can damage specific neurons that control movement. Consult your doctor before using graviola as a supplement.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Graviola
- "Journal of Natural Products"; Five Novel Mono-tetrahydrofuran Ring Acetogenins from the Seeds of Annona Muricata; Matthew J. Rieser, et al.; February 1996
- "Journal of Natural Products"; New Cytotoxic Monotetrahydrofuran Annonaceous Acetogenins from Annona muricata; Chih-Chuang Liaw et al.; April 2002
- "Molecules"; Antiproliferative Activity, Antioxidant Capacity and Tannin Content in Plants of Semi-arid Northeastern Brazil; J. Gomes de Melo; November 2010
- "Movement Disorders"; Toxicity of Annonaceae for dopaminergic neurons: Potential role in atypical parkinsonism in Guadeloupe; Annie Lannuzel, et al.; January 2002
