USA Exclusive Products Super-G: Graviola
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Graviola- While graviola has shown promise against some forms of cancer in laboratory studies, it has also been shown to have possibly dangerous neurological side effects. Since few clinical studies have been run to determine the safety and efficacy of the supplement, it cannot be recommended. Clinical SummaryDerived from a tree in the rain forests of Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. The bark, leaves, root, and fruits have been used as traditional remedies in many countries. Extracts of graviola have been shown to have antiviral (1), antiparasitic, antirheumatic, astringent, emetic (2), antileishmanial and cytotoxic (3) (4) effects. Graviola has also been shown to be effective against multidrug resistant cancer cells line (5) (4). There are no large scale studies in humans on the effects of graviola. Alkaloids extracted from graviola may cause neuronal dysfunction and degeneration leading to symptoms reminiscent of Parkinson's Disease (6).
Purported uses
Graviola has been shown to be effective against cancer in a test tube, but no studies have been run to determine if it would have a similar effect in humans. Graviola has been shown to be effective against the herpes virus in a test tube, but no studies have been run to determine if it would have a similar effect in humans. Graviola has been shown to be effective against some bacteria in a test tube, but no studies have been run to determine if it would have a similar effect in humans. Graviola has been shown to be effective against some parasites in a test tube, but no studies have been run to determine if it would have a similar effect in humans. No studies have evaluated graviola as a sedative. ConstituentsAcetogenins, quinolines, isoquinolines, annopentocins and annomuricins (7). Coreximine and reticuline subfractions have been isolated from root bark (6).
Mechanism of ActionAnnonaceous acetogenins, a phytochemical isolated from the leaves, bark and twigs of graviola, are thought to be the active ingredient. The ethanolic extract of Annona muricata was found to inhibit the Herpes simplex virus (1). The ethyl acetate extract was found to be more active than the methanolic or hexanolic extracts. Extracts were shown to be effective against Leishmania braziliensis, L. panamensis promastigotes and the cancer cell line U 937 (3) and hepatoma cell lines(8) in vitro. Extracts were also shown to be lethal to the fresh-water mollusk Biomphalaria glabrata, which acts as a host for the parasitic worm Schistosoma mansoni (2). Alkaloids from graviola have been shown to be detrimental to the survival of dopaminergic nerve cells in vitro. This may in turn lead to neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. Graviola-induced cell death was inhibited by the supplementation of glucose suggesting that cell death was caused by energy depletion (6). Graviola extracts have also been shown to be effective against the growth of Adriamycin resistant human mammary adenocarcinoma (MCF-7/Adr) by blocking the cancer cell's access to ATP and by inhibiting the actions of plasma membrane glycoprotein (5). Graviola may also have antidepressive activity due to its ability to stimulate serotonine receptors (7).
Adverse ReactionsGraviola may cause movement disorders and myeloneuropathy with symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease (6).
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