SOURSOP LEAVES: WHAT ARE THEY FOR AND HOW TO PREPARE THEM - ECONOMÍA - 2025

The leaves guanábana (Annona muricata) have a wide variety of medicinal applications. However, the soursop or graviola is better known for its fruit than for its leaves. The tree is small, evergreen, and native to tropical areas of America.

Soursop leaves are rich in anoxic acetogenins and also contain alkaloids. Anoxic acetogenins are unique to the Annonaceae family. Chemically they are derived from long chain fatty acids (C32 or C34).

Anoxic acetogenins are a hundred compounds found in the leaves, fruit, seeds, bark, roots, and stems of the soursop tree.

These substances have powerful cytotoxic activity. In vitro and in vivo studies have been shown to attack and kill cancer cells in 12 different types of cancer.

These types include cancer of the breast, pancreas, lung, prostate, liver, colon, and skin. They have even killed cancer cells that have developed resistance to chemotherapy drugs. In addition, they have other biological activities, including antimalarial, antiparasitic and pesticides.

What is it for? (Health benefits)

Studies and investigations of the therapeutic benefits of soursop leaves have been carried out in vitro or in animals. In the absence of double-blind clinical trials in humans, the medical community has not confirmed this evidence.

Diversity of therapeutic properties

In the case of the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the extract, its action varies depending on the solvent used. These solvents include methanol, ethanol, n-butanol, and water. The aqueous extract is the one that usually has the least activity and, in some cases, none.

The extract of the leaves in hot water is consumed for its sedative and analgesic qualities. The phytochemicals it contains have anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antibacterial, analgesic and antioxidant characteristics. It also acts as an anticonvulsant.

The decoction of the leaves is used in many African countries to control fever and seizures. It is used to prevent the appearance of pimples and alleviate other skin problems, such as eczema.

Antidiabetic and antiarthritic potential

The antiarthritic potential, according to ethnomedicine, has been confirmed by the findings of in vivo studies. According to the results, oral administration of the ethanolic extract of the leaves reduced the edema in a dose-dependent manner after two weeks of treatment.

The injection of the methanolic extract of soursop leaves in rats with induced diabetes for two weeks, significantly reduced the concentration of glucose in the blood. In addition, total serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides were appreciably decreased.

Anti-cancer and anti-tumor action

The bioactive constituents of the leaves strengthen the immune system and improve the body's own ability to fight and kill cancer cells.

Anoxic acetogenins have selective toxicity; that is, they have the ability to differentiate between cancer cells and healthy cells.

Cancer cells have a tendency to divide at a faster rate than normal cells. ATP provides cells with the energy to carry out all their simple and complex biochemical processes, including cell division.

Therefore, cancer cells require more energy than healthy cells; that is, much higher ATP doses.

Acetogenins have the ability to interfere with the enzymatic reactions involved in the production of ATP by the mitochondria of cancer cells. In other words: they decrease ATP production in cancer cells.

Improves quality of life in cancer patients

Selective toxicity allows the side effects commonly experienced in conventional cancer therapies to be limited. These include impaired immune function, loss of appetite, hair loss, and nausea.

Cancer cells are known to learn to recognize and resist the chemicals that are used to destroy them, making chemotherapy less effective.

In order to expel these chemicals, large amounts of energy are required, which the cancer cell must extract from ATP.

The ability of acetogenins to slow the production of ATP in cancer cells decreases their ability to expel chemotherapeutics. In this way, cancer cells remain susceptible to chemotherapy.

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive properties

They show activity in wound healing. Topical administration of the leaf extract in ethyl acetate for 15 days demonstrated significant wound healing potential, evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic analysis.

The anti-inflammatory effects of the extract were demonstrated during the healing process by immunohistochemical evaluation.

It also has antihypertensive properties. Aqueous extract of soursop leaf was administered to normotensive rats and the results showed that the treatment significantly lowered blood pressure, in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting heart rate.

Combat hyperbilirubinemia

Bilirubin is a yellowish chemical that has hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen through red blood cells. Excess bilirubin causes jaundice. The decoction of soursop leaves is used to treat jaundice.

When the liver is unable to control blood cells while they are breaking down, bilirubin becomes concentrated within the body. As a result, the skin and the whites of the eyes may appear yellow.

How to prepare them?

For cancer, uric acid and the immune system

For the treatment of cancer, uric acid and strengthening the immune system a decoction is prepared. Approximately 10 soursop leaves (which have already reached a dark green color) are boiled in 3 cups of water. Evaporation is allowed to continue until approximately 1 cup is obtained.

It is then strained and cooled. The mixture is taken 3 times a day for about 4 weeks, about a third of a cup each time.

For rheumatism

For rheumatism, soursop leaves are crushed until softened and applied to areas of the body affected by pain due to arthritis. It is done regularly twice a day.

For eczema

Preparation for rheumatism is also used when there is eczema. Young leaves are placed directly on the affected part if there are ulcers.

For skin problems

For skin problems, a pulp made with fresh soursop leaves and rose water can be prepared.

For lice

The decoction of soursop leaves on the hair can help to eliminate lice.

Contraindications

- It should not be used during pregnancy or when its existence is suspected due to its ability to stimulate uterine activity in animal studies.

- People taking antihypertensive medications should consult with their doctor before taking it, as the doses of these medications may need adjustments.

- It is contraindicated in people with low blood pressure due to its hypotensive, vasodilator and cardiodepressant properties in animal studies.

- The important antimicrobial properties demonstrated in vitro can lead to the extinction of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract if the plant is used long-term.

- If it is taken for more than 30 days, it is advisable to supplement the diet with probiotics and digestive enzymes.

References

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3. Coria-Téllez, A., Montalvo-Gónzalez, E., Yahia, E. and Obledo-Vázquez, E. Annona muricata: A comprehensive review on its traditional medicinal uses, phytochemicals, pharmacological activities, mechanisms of action and toxicity. Arabian Journal of Chemistry. 2016.
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8. Soursop (2018). Retrieved on May 30, 2018, in Wikipedia
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10. Top 10 Surprising Benefits Of Soursop Leaves For Skin, Hair And Health (2017). Retrieved on May 30, 2018 at stylecraze.com