Annona muricata Linn Soursop or Graviola which belongs to the Annonacin family has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments including fever, rheumatism, cancer, and also as sedative, insecticide, and immunosuppressive activity. The antioxidant activity of the A. muricata leaves was found to be stronger than A. squamosa and A. reticulata species as shown through different in vitro models, such as ABTS, nitric oxide and hydroxyl radicals.

Nutritional Value of Annona muricata Linn Soursop or Graviola

A 100g portion of the Graviola provides about 62 Kcal, approximately 16g of carbohydrates, predominantly fructose, 0.8g of protein, 1.9g of fiber and does not contain significant amount of fats. In addition, it presents a huge variety of vitamins and minerals: calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, and Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, in addition to folate.

Acetogenin (ACG) is characterized by its unbranched C₃₂ or C₃₄ fatty acid with a γ-lactone at the end of the cytoskeleton. This molecular structure is a very potent compound against cancer as it deprives the highly energy demanding cancer cells from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) supply via the disruption of mitochondrial electron transport system, hence resulting in apoptosis.

A very good anti-depressant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, vasodilator and sedative. Consumption of graviola extract has proven that it is very good reliever of stress by improving the blood supply to brain and heart muscles.

Graviola is full of antioxidants. These antioxidants, especially vitamins C and E, zinc and beta-carotene, have reduced the risk of eye disease. Antioxidants also reduce oxidative stress, which can cause cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Annona muricata Linn Soursop or Graviola is among the ethnomedicines employed to treat arthritic pain, reduced the edema, control fever and convulsive seizures, reduced blood glucose (diabetes), decreased the serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Anti – inflammation and analgesic. Decreased blood pressure without affecting heart rates.  A. muricata has been subjected to various pathogenic parasites to determine its cytotoxic effects.

A good anti-malarial effect. The pentane leaf extract of A. muricata was assayed against two strains of Plasmodium falciparum: the Nigerian chloroquine-sensitive strain and FcM29-Cameroon (chloroquine-resistant strain); a promising anti plasmodial effect was obtained with an IC₅₀ value of 16 and 8 µg/mL after 72 h, respectively.

Annona muricata Linn Soursop or Graviola is proven for following diseases and infections:

Leishmaniasis, asthma, depression, anxiety, anti-occident, anti-inflammatory and pain killer, anti-rheumatic, febrile symptoms and convulsive seizures, dengue fever, and most important its proven best for cancers.

Annona muricata Linn Soursop or Graviola is traditionally employed to treat jaundice in Ghana, restores liver function, hepatoprotective. Antiulcer potential, protective effects against gastric wall mucosal damages (gastroprotective).

I (Dr Qaisar Ahmed) find Annona Muricata Soursop in almost nine patients as a good anti Parkinson’s disease (along with other individual constitutional medicines).