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Fact or Fiction?
At icon we pride ourselves on the quality of our research. Unfortunately with Graviola it is difficult to get much hard evidence, rather than just very generalised reports of effect.
Fact? Extracts from Graviola, annona muricata, have been shown in research to inhibit the Herpes Simplex virus, and to have anti-viral, anti-parasitic, anti-rhumatic and cytoxic effects. In J Med Chem1997, 40: 2102-6 activity against multi-drug resistant cancer cells was shown, and cytoxic ability has been shown with a number of cancer cell lines, particularly prostate and pancreatic cancers.
Fiction? One story goes that a pharmaceutical company discovered the anti-cancer benefits of Graviola and spent eight years trying to form a patentable drug. They failed. They then locked up their findings and their work for a further 5 years, to keep it from rivals. The secret only ´came out´ when a key scientist moved away from the company.
Who knows?
The Tree
What we do know is that indigenous peoples from the Amazon jungle call it the miracle tree. Regular readers may remember our report on Neem, dubbed ´the local pharmacy´ in India.
 Local populations have used the tree for thousands of years to treat everything from arthritis to liver problems The Graviola tree grows five to six metres in height, and is native to South America particularly around the Amazon basin. It is also found in places such as Polynesia. The common names are Graviola, Soursop or (Brazilian) Paw Paw.
Local populations have used the bark, leaves, roots, fruit, seeds and flowers for thousands of years to treat everything from arthritis to liver problems.
For example, the fruit and seeds are used for intestinal health and the elimination of parasites. Women eat paw paw to increase lactation; teas made from root and bark help as a sedative or nerve tonic and can maintain healthy glucose levels. In Polynesia teas elevate mood and reduce depression. Almost certainly, like Noni and Aloe Vera, a high polysaccharide content is responsible for many of its effects. Phytochemical alkaloids are active too.
The Research
The FDA has approved Graviola for use only to support immune function.
However, there are at least 11 papers we could find on clinical references to the above properties e.g. Sedative? (Bourne RR. West Indian Med J 1979 28:2); or, Immune boosting? (Wu FE various J Nat Prod 1995 June).
But, by far the largest number of studies comes from Purdue University in America where, to date, $5 million of public funds has been spent on studies.
The Cancer ´Cure´?
Several of the active ingredients kill malignant cells of 12 different types of cancer
Research has indicated, albeit ´in vitro´, that several of the active ingredients (Annonaceous acetogenins) kill malignant cells of 12 different types of cancer including breast, ovarian, colon, prostate, liver, lung, pancreatic and lymphoma.
Originally listed by the National Cancer Institute in the USA in 1976, it was not until 1995 that work gained any momentum.
The NCI now supports the Purdue research. Recently this has confirmed that extracts from Graviola leaves killed cancer cells ´among six human-cell lines´ and were especially effective against prostate and pancreatic cancers. Another study showed their effect against lung cancer.
The most recent study by the Catholic University in South Korea has shown that the active ingredients have ´selective cytoxicity´ comparable with Adriamycin, a drug historically used for breast and colon cancer. A further study published in the Journal of Natural Products claimed Graviola was 10,000 times more effective; a third study from South Korea showed that, unlike Adriamycin, there was no negative activity on healthy cells; whilst a fourth study from Purdue (1997) stated that many cancer cells which survive classic chemotherapy by developing resistance to chemicals, were attacked none-the-less by the Graviola agents.
Dr Jerry McLaughlin, Purdue´s lead researcher says that many cancer cells, over time, develop a P-glycoprotein pump to expel the chemotherapy agent before it can work. However Annona chemicals bypass this and kill the cancer cell. Dr McLaughlin has a number of videos published on the web (yes, you have to pay for them) about his findings.
All in all, Purdue researchers have found dramatic activity against worms, some viruses, fungi and many cancer cell lines.
Other?
There is also research (Roman G; Curr. Op. Neurology 1998; 11:539) that Graviola can stimulate seratonin receptors. This may provide anti-depressive benefits.
How to Take
Various reputable outlets supply original Graviola extract on the web
A little complication is that American research is now claiming that the American Paw Paw is far more effective than all the others (Ed: But of course!), but various reputable outlets supply original Graviola extract on the web. The best to take is probably the one where the active ingredient is a more absorbable, tincture format.
However, beware taking the herb long term (e.g. over 30 days) as it may kill the helpful bacteria in the intestine. Results on this are inconclusive.
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