Soursop
Scientific Name(s): Annona muricata L.
Common Name(s): Araticum-grande, Araticum-manso, Cachiman épineux, Coração-de-rainha, Corossol épineux, Graviola, Guanábana, Guanábano, Jaca-de-pobre, Jaca-do-Pará, Sauersack, Stachelannone
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 26, 2021.
Clinical Overview
Use
The seeds, fruit, and leaves have been used traditionally for stomach complaints and fever, and as a sedative. Clinical trials are lacking to support these uses.
Dosing
Information is lacking.
Contraindications
Information is lacking. Patients with established Parkinson disease should avoid consumption of the fruit or decoctions made from the leaves (see Toxicology).
Pregnancy/Lactation
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Avoid use (see Toxicology).
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Information is lacking.
Toxicology
A relationship between consumption of A. muricata and atypical parkinsonism has been suggested based on epidemiological observations and animal experiments.
Scientific Family
- Annonaceae
Botany
A. muricata (Soursop) is an evergreen tree native to the warm, humid climates of Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Central America. The long prickly fruit measures 20 to 30 cm and weighs up to 2 kg. The fruit is composed of fibrous membranes and a white pulp with many large seeds dispersed throughout, making it difficult to eat without processing.PLANTS 2008, Damico 2003, Rieser 1996, Moghadamtousi 2015 A synonym is Annona macrocarpa Wercklé.
History
Because of its characteristic flavor, A. muricata is grown commercially for its fruit crop, which is used to make juice, candy, sorbet, and ice cream. Soursop has been used traditionally in the management of diarrheal and diabetes-related diseases, as well as for sedative, antimicrobial, and insecticidal properties.Damico 2003, Luna 2006, Lutchmedial 2004
Chemistry
The fruit is high in carbohydrates, especially fructose, and contains vitamins C, B1, and B2 in large amounts. Calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and phosphorous have also been identified.Lutchmedial 2004
Annonaceous acetogenins, fatty acid derivatives, are the most-studied chemical constituents of the plant parts, with estimates of 40 or more distinct compounds.Rieser 1996, Chang 2001, Li 2001, Gleye 2000, 9, Champy 2005, Kim 1998, Zeng 1996, Wu 1995, Wu 1995, Wu 1995, Wu 1995, Kim 1998 Annonacin is the predominant acetogenin.Champy 2005 The alkaloids reticuline and coreximine have also been identified.Kotake 2004
A glycoprotein lectin has been identified in the seeds of the ripe fruits of A. muricataDamico 2003 and N-fatty acyl tryptamines in the seeds have been described.Li 2001
Reviews of the phytochemistry of the plant have been published.Moghadamtousi 2015
Uses and Pharmacology
Clinical trials are lacking,Cercato 2015 but are not likely to be forthcoming due to the toxicity of annonacin.
