Annona muricata studies, safety, side effects, and medical uses - Benefits and risks of supplements and herbal extracts

Annona muricata tree, also known as soursop, is found in the Amazon jungle and some of the Caribbean islands. The Annona muricata tree produces a delicious fruit, also known as graviola, which is widely consumed by indigenous peoples. The fruit and the leaves are used in traditional medicine for their tranquillizing and sedative properties. Since the early 2000s, graviola supplements have become available to the general public. The full benefits and risks of consuming graviola pills for weeks, months, and years are not fully known. We do know of people who have used these natural herbal pills daily for several months without any apparent problems, but we don't know of any who have used this herb daily for several years.

What does the research say
As of March 2010, we could not find any human research with Annona muricata. There are dozens of laboratory tests done in test tubes. Some of these studies show Annona muricata to have anti-viral, anti-parasitic and potent anti- cancer properties. However we do not know if Annona muricata has the same benefits or risks if ingested as a supplement in humans. Many people are taking graviola supplements as an alternative medicine for cancer treatment.

Annona muricata review
Until human trials are done, it is difficult to make any recommendations regarding Annona muricata. Does Annona muricata work well when taken as a supplement? What is the ideal dosage? How often should Annona muricata be taken and for how long? These are questions that still need to be answered through rigorous research. However, some of the studies regarding the anti-cancer potential of Annona muricata are intriguing and certainly worthwhile to further explore. In the meantime, it is prudent to take breaks from use of Annona muricata, for instance two days off each week. one full week off each month, and one full month off every four months.

Graviola Buy Annona muricata, 500 mg per each pill

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Graviola Supplement Facts:
Graviola - 500 mg
   (Annona muricata) leaf and stem         

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Suggested Use:  As a dietary supplement, take 1 Annona muricata capsule daily or as directed by a health care professional. Take breaks from use, for instance two days off each week, one week off per month, and one full month off every four months.

What's in Annona muricata fruit?
There are quite a number of compounds in Annona muricata with exotic and long names. Some of these include acetogenins, muricins, and many others.

Annona muricata antioxidants
In vitro antioxidant studies in leaves of Annona species.
Indian J Exp Biol. 2007; Baskar R, Rajeswari V, Kumar TS. Department of Biotechnology, Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore, India.
Antioxidant potential of leaves of three different species of Annona was studied. Our findings suggest that the extracts of Annona muricata possess potent in vitro antioxidant activity as compared to leaves of Annona squamosa and Annona reticulata suggesting its role as an effective free radical scavenger, augmenting its therapeutic

Cancer
Although laboratory research with Annona muricata and cancer looks promising, little is known about the role Annona muricata supplements would play in human cancer prevention or treatment. Therefore, at this point, the role of Annona muricata and cancer in humans in unclear.

Annona muricata extract
Some companies sell a Annona muricata extract, but whether a Annona muricata extract offers benefits beyond that of regular Annona muricata whole powder is not known.

Atypical Parkinson's disease symptoms with chronic ingestion of Annona muricata
Atypical parkinsonism in Guadeloupe: a common risk factor for two closely related phenotypes?
Brain. 2007. Lannuzel A, Höglinger GU, Verhaeghe S, Gire L, Belson S, Escobar-Khondiker M, Poullain P, Oertel WH, Hirsch EC, Dubois B, Ruberg M. Department of Neurology, Hospital of Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, F.W.I.
In Guadeloupe, there is an abnormally high frequency of atypical parkinsonism. Only one-third of the patients that develop parkinsonian symptoms were reported to present the classical features of idiopathic Parkinson disease and one-third a syndrome resembling progressive supranuclear palsy. In conclusion, atypical Guadeloupean parkinsonism comprises two forms of parkinsonism and dementia that differ clinically by the presence of oculomotor signs, but have similar cognitive profiles and neuroimaging features, suggesting that they may constitute a single disease entity, and both were similarly exposed to annonaceous neurotoxins, notably annonacin.

Annona species
Annona muricata also known as graviola herb
reticulata
squamosa and
We will update this page on information, benefits, risks, and natural treatments

MALDI-TOF MS profiling of annonaceous acetogenins in Annona muricata products for human consumption.
Molecules. 2009; Champy P, Guérineau V, Laprévote O. Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, CNRS UMR 8076 BioCIS, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Paris-Sud, Rue J. B. Clément, Châtenay-Malabry, France.
Annonaceous acetogenins are proposed as environmental neurotoxicants consumed through medicinal and alimentary habits and responsible for atypical parkinsonian syndromes observed in tropical areas. Potential sources of exposure still have to be determined, as, to date, only a few batches of products for human consumption were searched for these compounds. To assess the presence of acetogenins, we propose a fast, sensitive and accurate method of screening, using MALDI-TOF MS, with minimal sample preparation. Development of the technique is discussed. Its application to leaves of herbal tea, pulp and bottled nectar of Annona muricata is presented.