Guyabano and DiabetesAn article in “African Journal of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine” about in 2008 have reported that a clinical study done on rats induced with diabetes mellitus then fed with guyabano (Annona Muricata Linn) extracts showed positive effects of lowering the blood sugar levels in animals. Another study reported by the same publication showed that animals with induced diabetes mellitus that consumed guyabano extract has showed remarkable increase of antioxidants in their blood and that there is less liver damage. The findings of this laboratory animal study suggest that (guyabano) Annona muricata extract has a protective, beneficial effect on (liver) hepatic tissues subjected to STZ-induced oxidative stress, possibly by decreasing lipid peroxidation and indirectly enhancing production of insulin and endogenous antioxidants. Although the reports suggested that guyabano extracts have promising medicinal benefits for diabetes mellitus, there is no sufficient study done on its effects to humans with diabetes.
Guyabano and Inflammation
In a report that was published in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” dated 2010, Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanol extract from guyabano leaves (Annona muricata Linn) were investigated in animal models. In a chemically induced edema to the paw of rats showed that the guyabano ethanol extract has significantly reduced the exudate volume. These results suggest that Annona muricata can be an active source of substances with antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.
Guyabano and Cancer
In a study published in the “Journal of Medicinal Chemistry”, 14 structurally diverse Annonaceous acetogenins, found in Guyabano extract were identified and tested for their ability to inhibit the growth of adriamycin resistant human mammary adenocarcinoma cells. This cell line is known to be multidrug resistant cancer cells. Some of the acetogenins from the guyabano extract were found to be more potent than adriamycin and thus may have chemotherapeutic potential, especially with regard to multidrug resistant tumors..
Guyabano and Herpes Simplex Virus
A study published in “Journal of Ethnopharmacology”, 1mg/ml of ethanol extract of Annona muricata (Annonaceae, Guyabano) in Petunia nyctaginiflora (Solanaceae) aqueous extract can inhibit the activity of Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1).
Guyabano and Depression
In a study published in the “Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology”, extracts from the fruit and the leaves of Guyabano (Annona muricata - Annonaceae) contains three alkaloids, annonaine (1), nornuciferine (2) and asimilobine (3), that upon tests have shown to inhibit binding of [3H]rauwolscine to 5-HTergic 5-HT1A receptors in calf hippocampus. These results imply that Guyabano fruit (Annona muricata) possesses anti-depressive effects.
Guyabano and Antibacterial Effects
In a report published in “Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo”, a study has been made to determine the antibacterial effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of seeds of moringa (Moringa oleifera) and pods of guyabano (Annona muricata). The aqueous extracts of guyabano (annona muricata) showed an antibacterial effect against Staph aureus and Vibrio cholerae, but the antibacterial activity by the ethanol extracts of this plant was not demonstrated.