Soursop(Custard Apple) : CANCER KILLER

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Department of General Medicine

Tumor cells : Definition 

 Tumor cells  grow and  duplicate more rapidly than normal cells , because they are provide to receive glucose, which is good source of energy for fast replication.  Also, cancer cells  rapidly develop a network of blood vessels is called Angiogenesis to ensure an efficient supply of nutrients and oxygen.The cancer cells rapidly take up nutrients meant for normal cells so that weight loss may occur in cancer patients.Furthermore, with chemotherapy cancer cells develop resistance to the drugs, furnishing chemotherapy useless.

The anti-cancer properties of custard apple is appear mainly due to the compounds called acetogenins,which are specific to Annonaceaous species. They are very long chain fatty acids. Throughout the year 1990s, a team of researchers lead by Professor 'Jerry McLaughlin' at Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana, and other team at Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaoshiung Taiwan have assessed  the structure and non carcinogenic properties of acetogenins.

Soursop(Custard Apple)

Soursop(Custard Apple) obtained from a tree in the rain forests of Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. Its scientific name is Annona muricata commonly known as custard apple, cherimoya, guanabana, soursop and brazilian paw paw. The active ingredient present in this plant is called annonaceous acetogenins.

 Research shows that with extracts from this can be possible to:

•        Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause weight loss, extreme nausea,  and hair loss

•        Protect your immune system and avoid deadly infections

•        Feel powerful and healthier throughout the course of the treatment

•        Boost your energy and improve your outlook on life.

In vitro testing

Acetogenins is tested In vitro against 60 types of cancer cells, including prostate,breast and colon . Seed and Leaf extracts of acetoegnins exhibited robust,in vitro cytotoxic and anti-cancer properties, up to 200-300 times more powerful than some currently used drugs such as Paclitaxel.

In vivo (living organism) testing

It was active in lowering the development of leukaemia in mice.

Human clinical trials

Limited human clinical testing trials are being organized.

Mode of action

The compound Acetogenins may be good chemotherapeutic agents for cancer. These compounds inhibit mitochondrial and cytoplasmic production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate),is the major source of energy for the cells and also a precursor of the nucleotides needed to produce DNA and RNA. It  also inhibit the enzymes of complex I in the electron transport system in mitochondria. They also  hinder the NADH oxidases found in the plasma membranes of tumor cells. Their end result is depletion of ATP levels.

Tumor cells, being  metabolically more active, are more susceptible than normal cells to the effects of the acetogenins. Angiogenesis need ATP and angiostatin blocks angiogenesis by inhibiting ATP synthase . Thus, ATP depletion helps to block the growth of new vessels to nutrify  tumors.

Acetogenins can also induce programmed cell death(Apoptosis) of certain cancer cell lines.Apoptosis is an important mechanism of action for many antitumor agents.  It is a safety measure against  malign transformation; Actually effective tumor therapy may involve the induction of apoptosis.

Action in custard apple fruit

There is little information of the concentrations of acetogenins in custard apple fruit.  Bullatacin, isolated from the fruit of custard apple, is one of the most potentially powerful antitumor Annonaceous acetogenins.

Conclusions

Based on in vitro and in vivo testing, Soursop have potent anti-microbial,anti-diabetic anti-cancer and anti-obese properties.Extensive human clinical trials need to be organized to  regulate  the efficacy and safety of the specific chemicals in Soursop fruit as anti-diabetic and anti-cancer agents. 

Reference:

Custard Apples Australia inc; Custard Apple - The New Super Fruit Of The 21st Century Thursday, August 20, 2015. 

Cancer research UK ; Can graviola (soursop) cure cancer?

Health Benefits times.com ; Health benefits of Custard Apples; December 16, 2012; By:Mak G