Cited by 174Traditional and Medicinal Uses of AnnonaceaeMedicinal Plant ResearchPhytochemical Studies and Bioactivities

Annona muricata : Is the natural therapy to most disease conditions including cancer growing in our backyard? A systematic review of its research history and future prospects

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Gavamukulya, Yahaya, Wamunyokoli, Fred, El-Shemy, Hany A.·2017·Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

Abstract

Annona muricata (A. muricata) is a tropical plant species belonging to family Annonaceae and known for its many medicinal uses. This review focuses on the research history of its traditional uses, phytochemicals, pharmacological activities, toxicological aspects of the extracts and isolated compounds, as well as the in vitro propagation studies with the objective of stimulating further studies on this plant for human consumption and treatment. A. muricata extracts have been identified in tropical regions to traditionally treat diverse conditions ranging from fever to diabetes and cancer. More than 200 chemical compounds have been identified and isolated from this plant, the most important being alkaloids, phenols and acetogenins. Using in vitro studies, its extracts and phytochemicals have been characterized as antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, larvicidal, and cytotoxic to cancer cells. In vivo studies have revealed anxiolytic, anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimalarial, antidepressant, gastro protective, wound healing, hepato-protective, hypoglycemic, anticancer and anti-tumoral activities. In silico studies have also been reported. In addition, clinical studies support the hypoglycemic as well as some anticancer activities. Mechanisms of action of some pharmacological activities have been elucidated. However, some phytochemical compounds isolated from A. muricata have shown a neurotoxic effect in vitro and in vivo, and therefore, these crude extracts and isolated compounds need to be further investigated to define the magnitude of the effects, optimal dosage, and mechanisms of action, long-term safety, and potential side effects. Additionally, more clinical studies are necessary to support the therapeutic potential of this plant. Some studies were also found to have successfully regenerated the plant in vitro, but with limited success. The reported toxicity notwithstanding, A. muricata extracts seem to be some of the safest and promising therapeutic agents of the 21st century and beyond that need to be studied further for better medicinal formulations and diseases management.

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  • A systematic review of scientific studies published up to February 2017 found that only 2% were clinical trials, 2% in silico modelling, 36% in vivo studies, and most studies were in vitro.

    “Much research has been carried out on A. muricata to evaluate its pharmacological effect, in which a systematic review was conducted to incorporate the scientific studies published up to February 2017, deducing that only 2% had been conducted as clinical trials, 2% in silico modelling, 36% for in vivo studies, and most studies regarding this plant were carried out through in vitro studies [24].”

    From Annona muricata: Comprehensive Review on the Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Aspects Focusing on Antidiabetic Properties (2023) · cites this paper as [24]

    The Introduction says the review covered studies reported through February 2017. Section 5 (Pharmacological activities) gives approximately 60% in vitro, 36% in vivo and 2% in silico among 101 pharmacological papers. It calls the remaining 2% “clinical studies,” not clinical trials; Section 5.4 includes case reports as well as a trial, so the claim is too specific on that point. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • The extract used in studies of A. muricata was mainly based on organic solvents, as opposed to traditional preparations using water, and solvent extraction is advantageous due to effectiveness in extracting most bioactive compounds.

    “The extract used was mainly based on organic solvents, as opposed to traditional preparations using water. The advantage of solvent extraction is due to the effectiveness in extracting most bioactive compounds [24].”

    From Annona muricata: Comprehensive Review on the Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Aspects Focusing on Antidiabetic Properties (2023) · cites this paper as [24]

    Section 5, “Pharmacological activities” (page unavailable), reports that about 85% of extracts in the reviewed studies used organic solvents, versus 15% aqueous preparations. Section 4.3 identifies aqueous infusion as the most common medicinal use. The review describes solvent-dependent differences in activity and composition, but does not establish that organic solvents are advantageous because they extract most bioactive compounds; it notes that most phenols are water-soluble. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 27

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Authors
Gavamukulya, Y., Wamunyokoli, F., & El-Shemy, H. A.
Affiliations
  • Busitema University (UG)
  • Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (KE)
Corresponding author
Gavamukulya, Yahaya
Venue
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine
Published
2017-09
Volume
10
Issue
9
Pages
835-848
ISSN
1995-7645 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2755720653
Cited by
174
References
144
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 7
FWCI
1.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Busitema University
  • Institute for Basic Science
  • Pan African University
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Annonaceae
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Medicinal Plant Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Phytochemical Studies and Bioactivities
Keywords
Annona muricata, Annonaceae, phytochemicals, acetogenins, alkaloids, phenols, anticancer activity, antimalarial activity, hypoglycemic activity, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, cytotoxicity, neurotoxicity, medicinal plants, traditional medicine, micropropagation, plant extracts

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