Graviola (Annona muriatica) information and properties

Fresh fruit: Graviola (Annona muricata L.) can be eaten on the go or in fruit salads or to make juice, jam, ice cream, desserts or cakes.
Processed fruit: Fresh, concentrated or frozen fruit pulp is sold as an ingredient for jelly and fruit purée or beverages. In producing countries, graviola juice is very popular, fresh or in cans and industrial packages. The fruit pulp is also sold in sealed plastic bags, cardboard or metal containers.

GRAVIOLA: DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

Graviola is native to South America, the tree can be found from Mexico to Brazil, and has its origins in Central Colombia or Brazil. It was one of the first plants to be exported to Europe after the conquest of America.

The fruit looks similar to chirimoya, a species of the same genus (A.cherimolia), and the same family, weighs 2 to 4 kilos, has a dark green shiny peel (that turns into a mat green when ripe),is covered with small prickles, and has a white bland pulp that can sometimes be yellowish. The fruit texture is fleshy, juicy and particularly acid and its pulp is marked by numerous black seeds that come off easily.

The tree is rather small and can grow up to 10 meters, and is cultivated in all of tropical America. The fruit can grow up to 15 to 20 cm long. Infusions of root peels and leaves are traditionally used.

GRAVIOLA: COMPOSITION OF THE LEAVES

Main phytochemicals: Annonaceous acetogenins: annocatalin, annohexocin, annomonicin, annomontacin, annomuricatin A & B, annomuricin A until E, annomutacin, annonacin, (various iso, cis, uno, etc), annonacinone, annopentocin A until C, cis-annonacin, cis-corossolone, cohibin A until D, corepoxylone, coronin, corossolin, corossolone, donhexocin, epomuricenin A and B, gigantetrocin, gigantetrocin A & B, gigantetrocinone, gigantetronenin, goniothalamicin, isoannonacin, javoricin, montanacin, montecristin, muracin A until G, muricapentocin, muricatalicin, muricatalin, muri-catenol, muricatetrocin A & B muricatin D, muricatocin A until C muricin H, muricin I, muricoreacin, murihexocin 3, murihexocin A until C, murihexol, murisolin, robustocin, rolliniastatin 1 & 2, saba-delincuencia, solamin, uvariamicin I and IV, xylomaticin.

GRAVIOLA: ACETONIN IMPACT ON CELLS

The acetogenesis de Annonaceae only occurs in the annonaceae family. As a rule, several annonoceous acetogenesis have been reported to show antitumoral, antiparasitarian, pesticide,antiparasitarian, antiprotozoal , antifeedant, antihelmintic and antimicrobial activity. Currently, the interest in chemical products with potent antitumoral characteristics has increased. Numerous research groups are trying to synthetize these chemical products to create new chemotherapy drugs.
According to a review of these products in a 1999 newspaper “acetogenesis with Annonaceae are antitumoral agents and new pesticides, that can only be found in annonaceae family of the plant”.

Chemically speaking , they derive from long chain fatty acids. Biologically, they exhibit their potent bioactivities with the exhaustion of TPA levels in mitochondria of the complex I. They inhibit the NADH oxidase of the plasmatic membranes of the tumor cells, and prevent TPA resistance mechanisms.

GRAVIOLA: RESEARCH

Research shows that the use of graviola is beneficial on many levels:

Research by the Pardue University (California) shows that acetogenins can inhibit albeit selectively, the growth and proliferation of tumor cells that resist the chemotherapeutic drug Adriamycin, while keeping the healthy tissue cells intact. Another study by the same university shows that the acetogenins in graviola are extremely potent with a ED50 up to 10 – 9 micrograms per milliliter (lethal dose 50) or 10,000 times stronger than Adriamycin.
Research by McLaughlin, Chih Hw, Chui HF between 1998 and 2000 suggests that acetogenin are complex I inhibitors in the oxidative phosphorylation chain. They block the production of TPA. Acetogenins are also potent inhibitors of ubiquinone oxidase, an enzyme that depends on NADH. McLaughlin conducted his research with the acetogenins Bullatacin and Bullatacinone.
In vivo tests in the Caribbean show a possible link between the consumption of graviola and atypical forms of Parkinson’s disease, due to its high concentration of annonacin. Its content in fresh fruit (15 mg/fruit) or juice (36 mg/can) is ten times higher than in graviola leaves tea(140 μg/cup).
In March 2002, Japanese researchers published an interesting study about different acetinogenins in different plant species. All studies were done in vivo tests. For this particular study, mice were inoculated with Lewis carcinoma cells. A third of them did not receive any drug, another third chemotherapy with Adriamycin and the last third received the main acetogenin in Annona muricata L., called “annonacin ´(in doses of 10 mg / kg).
GRAVIOLA: TRADITIONAL USE OFE THE LEAVES

Graviola has been used for centuries in traditional and indigenous medicine.

In the Peruvian Andes, graviola leaves are drunk to heal colds, whereas its crushed seeds are used to kill parasites.
In the Peruvian Amazon, leaves and rinds are used for diabetes, and as a sedative and muscle relaxant.
In the Brazilian Amazon, graviola leaves tea is believed to help with liver problems and the oil extracted from leaves and unripe fruit is mixed with olive oil to heal neuralgia, rheumatism and arthritis.
In Jamaica, Haiti and the Eastern Andes, the fruit (and/or) juice is used in cases of fever, parasites, and to stop diarrhea. The rind and leaver are a powerful muscle relaxant and sedative.
Recommended for constipation and to increase the production of gut flora. It lowers acidity. The pulp is digestive. The juice of fresh ripe fruits has diuretic effects and is considered an excellent remedy against hematuria and urethritis.
Fights cramps, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, fever, influenza, hypertension, insomnia, kidney pain, stress, palpitations, pediculosis, ringworm and internal ulcers. Graviola has antibacterial, antiparisitic, muscle relaxing, astringent, cytoxic, antipyretic, insecticide, pectoral, sedative, antihelmintic properties. It induces vasodilation.

Traditional medicine uses all parts of the graviola plant, famous for its anthelmintic, antitumoral, antiparasitic, antipyretic, sedative, hypotensic anticonvulsant and digestive properties.

GRAVIOLA: CONCLUSIONS

As we can see, the intake of Graviola leaves can help prevent certain harmful processes in the body. This is corroborated by clinical research and by traditional medicine.

When the recommended dose is not exceeded, graviola is an important element in nature to fight disease. Certain types of neoplasms with use of the plant have been successful. New clinical research would be helpful to help spread the news about graviola’s benefits, so people can continue fighting disease with this plant.

GRAVIOLA: CONTRAINDICATIONS

Graviola has many health benefits without any side effects, when used in a correct manner. It is however recommended to suspend its use from time to time, since its prolonged use could lead to the loss of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. When taken in large amounts, it may cause nausea or vomiting.

Contraindicated in case of oxidorreductase or low blood pressure. Graviola is a hypotensor and cardio depressant. It also dilates blood vessels. Contraindicated for persons who take antihypertensive drugs. See a doctor before taking any product containing Annona Muricata L., so that he can check your blood pressure and prescribe the correct dosage.
Products containing Annona Muricata L. extracts may cause sedation or drowsiness.
Not recommended during pregnancy. Graviola may be counterproductive to pregnancy.