Q: What specific cancer cells is graviola effective?
A: In 1976 the National Cancer Institute conducted a plant screening program in which graviola leaves and stem showed active toxicity against cancer cells. Since that time, Graviola has been the subject of various clinical research. Research show specific acetogenins in Graviola, and/or extracts of Graviola, have been reported to be selectively toxic in vitro to certain types of tumor cells including: lung carcinoma cell lines; human breast solid tumor lines; prostate adenocarcinoma; pancreatic carcinoma cell lines; colon adenocarcinoma cell lines; liver cancer cell lines; human lymphoma cell lines; and multi-drug resistant human breast adenocarcinoma.
Q: What actions are documented by research?
A: Antibacterial, anticancerous, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antifungal, antimalarial, antimutagenic (cellular protector), antiparasitic, antispasmodic, antitumorous, cardiodepressant, emetic (causes vomiting), hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), insecticidal, sedative, uterine stimulant, vasodilator
Q: What other actions documented by traditional use?
A: Antiviral, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), decongestant, digestive stimulant, febrifuge (reduces fever), nervine (balances/calms nerves), pediculicide (kills lice), vermifuge (expels worms)
Q: Is Graviola safe?
A: Currently many health practitioners and cancer patients are adding natural Graviola leaf and stem as a complementary therapy to their existing cancer treatments. Graviola has a long, safe history as a herbal remedy for many conditions, and research suggests that the anti-tumorous acetogenins are toxic to only cancer cells and not healthy cells. However, research confirms that these acetogenins also occur in high amounts in Graviola seeds and roots, different alkaloid chemicals in the seeds and roots have shown preliminary in vitro neurotoxic effects. Therefore, using the seeds and root of Graviola is not recommended at this time.
Q: Can I combine Graviola with other food supplements or medications?
A: As one of graviola’s mechanisms of action is to deplete ATP energy to cancer cells, combining it with other supplements and natural products which increase or enhance cellular ATP may reduce the effect of graviola. The main supplement which increases ATP is a common antioxidant called Coenzyme Q10 and for this reason, it should be avoided when taking graviola. It also has cardio-depressant, vasodilator, and hypotensive (lowers blood pressure) actions. Large dosages can cause nausea and vomiting.
Q: Are there any contraindications?
A: The general rule is to consult a physician before taking Graviola
• Graviola has demonstrated uterine stimulant activity in an animal study (rats) and should therefore not be used during pregnancy and breast feeding.
• Graviola has demonstrated hypotensive, vasodilator, and cardiodepressant activities in animal studies and is contraindicated for people with low blood pressure. People taking antihypertensive drugs should check with their doctors before taking graviola and monitor their blood pressure accordingly (as medications may need adjusting).
• Graviola has demonstrated significant in vitro antimicrobial properties. Chronic, long-term use of this plant may lead to die-off of friendly bacteria in the digestive tract due to its antimicrobial properties. Supplementing the diet with probiotics and digestive enzymes is advisable if this plant is used for longer than 30 days.
• Graviola has demonstrated emetic properties in one animal study with pigs. Large single dosages may cause nausea or vomiting. Reduce the usage accordingly if this occurs.
• One study with rats given a stem-bark extract intragastrically (at 100 mg/kg) reported an increase in dopamine, norepinephrine, and monomine oxidase activity, as well as a inhibition of serotonin release in stress-induced rats.
• Alcohol extracts of graviola leaf showed no toxicity or side effects in mice at 100 mg/kg; however, at a dosage of 300 mg/kg, a reduction in explorative behavior and mild abdominal constrictions was observed. If sedation or sleepiness occurs, reduce the amount used.
Q: Is graviola good adjunct (addition) to chemotherapy?
A: The National Cancer Institute first noted the anticancer activity of graviola leaves in 1976, in an internal study not publicly released. Much of the subsequent research has been conducted at Purdue University in Indiana [source: Bluestein].The studies concentrate on the antitumor properties and selective toxicity of annonaceous acetogenins. In 1997, the Purdue team announced that these phytochemicals, in studies, appeared especially effective at destroying cells that had survived chemotherapy. Such cells can develop resistance to several anti-cancer agents, earning the name multi-drug resistant (MDR). Typically, less than two percent of cancer cells have MDR properties, but this small set can quickly multiply after initial chemotherapy, rendering subsequent rounds of chemo useless. Expelling the anti-cancer agents requires large amounts of cellular energy, which MDR cells acquire from the chemical ATP. Acetogenins inhibit ATP transfer into these cells, retarding their function in a process that eventually leads to cell death. This process bypasses the healthy cells, which do not require infusions of ATP [source: Taylor].
Q: Is graviola toxic (harmful)?
A: In March of 2002 researchers in Japan studied various acetogenins found in several species of plants. On mice inoculated with lung cancer cells: 1/3 received no treatment (control group), 1/3 received a chemotherapy drug (Adriamycin), and 1/3 received the main Graviola acetogenin. After two weeks, five of the six in the control group were still alive. The Adriamycin group showed a 54.6% reduction of tumor mass over the control group, however half of the animals had died from toxicity. The mice receiving annonacin were all alive, the tumors were reduced by 57.9%, and without toxicity. The research group summarized; “This suggested that annonacin was less toxic in mice. On considering the antitumor activity and toxicity, annonacin might be used as a lead to develop a potential anticancer agent.”
