Exploring the Leaves of Annona muricata L. as a Source of Potential Anti-inflammatory and Anticancer Agents

Abstract

The use of anti-inflammatory natural products to treat inflammatory disorders for cancer prevention and therapy is an appealing area of interest in the last decades. Annona muricata L. is one of the many plant extracts that have been explored owing to their anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Different parts of A. muricata especially the leaves have been used for various ethnomedicinal purposes by traditional healers to treat several diseases including cancer, inflammation, diabetes, liver diseases, and abscesses. Some of these experience-based claims on the use of the plant have been transformed into evidence-based information by scientific investigations. The leaves of the plant have been extensively investigated for its diverse pharmacological aspects and found eminent for anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. However, most studies were not on the bioactive isolates which were responsible for the activities but were based on crude extracts of the plant. In this comprehensive review, all significant findings from previous investigations till date on the leaves of A. muricata, specifically on their anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities have been compiled. The toxicology of the plant which has been shown to be due to the presence of neurotoxic annaceous acetogenins and benzyltetrahydro-isoquinoline alkaloids has also been updated to provide recent information on its safety aspects. The present knowledge of the plant has been critically assessed, aimed at providing direction toward improving its prospect as a source of potential anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents. The analysis will provide a new path for ensuring research on this plant to discover new agents to treat inflammatory diseases and cancer. Further in vitro and in vivo studies should be carried out to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying their anti-inflammatory responses in relation to anticancer activity and more detail toxicity study to ensure they are safe for human consumption. Sufficient preclinical data and safety data generated will allow clinical trials to be pursued on this plant and its bioactive compounds.

Nutrient, Bioactive Components and Effects of Ethanol Extracts of Annona muricata Leaves and Fagara zanthoxyloide Roots on Zidovudine-Induced Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats

“…The results revealed that administration as from 8 g/ml/Kg bw for Annona muricata leaves and 6 g/ml/Kg bw for Fagara zanthoxyloide roots resulted in signs of toxicity and oral administration below this levels was well tolerated in mice even beyond 7 days. The result for the toxicity of Annona muricata was however slightly higher than the findings by [4] in which he observed kidney toxicity above 5 g/Kg bw and [25] who observed 100% mortality at 5 g/Kg bw with Annona muricata from Benin was investigated. Fagara zanthoxyloide acute toxicity test resulted in signs of toxicity as from 6 g/Kg bw with animals witnessing weight loss, lacrimation and reduced irritability ( Table 7).…”

“…Notably, the leaves have been used traditionally in the treatment cystitis, diabetes, insomnia and headaches [2], coughs, skin diseases and pains [3]. According to [4], the roots have been acclaimed to have antiinflammatory and anthelmintic potentials [5]. They leaves, fruits and roots have also been used as insecticides and pesticide agents among Africans as well as insect repellants [4].…”

“…According to [4], the roots have been acclaimed to have antiinflammatory and anthelmintic potentials [5]. They leaves, fruits and roots have also been used as insecticides and pesticide agents among Africans as well as insect repellants [4].…”

Secondary metabolites and biological properties of Annona muricata

“…Generally, acetogenins possess a broad spectrum of biological effects such as antineoplastic, antiparasitic, insecticidal, and immunosuppressive activities. These compounds exhibit their potent bioactivities through the depletion of ATP levels by inhibiting complex I of the mitochondria and NADH oxidase of the plasma membranes of tumor cells (Abdul-Wahab et al 2018).…”

Assessment of the Annona muricata Leaf Ethanol Extract Effect on The Diameter of Pancreatic Islets in Alloxan-Induced Mice

“…Several phytochemicals, such as acetogenin derivatives in A. muricata leaves have shown neurotoxicity (coreximine with EC 50 at 13 µM, reticuline EC 50 at 304 µM and annonacin EC 50 at 0.018 µM) in vitro and in vivo studies due to its viability reduction of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons (Lannuzel et al, 2003, Wahab et al, 2018. However, it has been investigated that the synergistic interactions among flavonoids and acetogenins in A. muricata leaves confer protection against prostate cancer (Yang et al, 2015).…”