Can Soursop (Graviola) Help Treat Cancer?

The article was written by Master - Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Head of Department of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

Soursop and other plants have been shown to have promising compounds that could be used in the treatment of cancer. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, is extracted from the Annona muricata tree and contains compounds that are particularly effective against cancer cells.

The soursop tree (Annona muricata) is a small evergreen tree found in the tropical forests of South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, it is often called soursop. The tree produces heart-shaped, edible fruit that are used to make candies, syrups and other delicacies.
However, it's not just a "sweet gift". The soursop plant also has anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. This has led some scientists to look into the soursop plant as a potential treatment option for a range of serious diseases, including cancer.
Although some laboratory studies indicate that soursop may have anti-cancer properties, there is not any clinical evidence that soursop can treat or prevent cancer in humans.

Various studies have shown that soursop extract has an effect on the cell lines of many types of cancer. This research has only been done in the laboratory (in test tubes) and on animals.
Despite some success, it is still unclear how soursop extract works. Although promising, these studies should not be taken as assertions that soursop can treat cancer in humans. Because there is no evidence that it can do so.
The fruit, leaves, bark, seeds and roots of the plant contain more than 100 acetogenin. These are natural compounds with anti-tumor properties. Scientists still need to identify the active ingredients in each part of the plant. The concentration of ingredients can also vary from plant to plant, depending on the soil in which it is grown.

Here are some of the revelations of the studies:
Breast cancer Laboratory studies show that soursop extract can kill some breast cancer cells that are resistant to a certain type of cancer. Some chemotherapy drugs. A 2016 study showed that a crude extract of soursop leaves had anti-cancer effects on breast cancer cell lines. The researchers call it a "promising candidate" for breast cancer treatment and say it needs further evaluation. They also note that the potency and anti-cancer activity of the soursop plant can vary depending on where it is grown.
Pancreatic cancer Researchers used cancer cell lines for a 2012 study of soursop extract. They found that it inhibited tumor growth and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells.
Prostate cancer Soursop leaf extract can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer tumors. In studies involving cell lines and mice, an aqueous extract of soursop leaves has been shown to reduce the size of rat prostheses. One study found that, ethyl extract acetate of soursop leaves has the ability to inhibit prostate cancer cells in mice.
Colon Cancer Research showed significant inhibition of colon cancer cells with the use of soursop leaf extract. A 2017 study used soursop extract against a colon cancer cell lines. Researchers found that it may have anti-cancer effects. They note that further research is needed to determine which part of the leaf produces this effect.
Liver cancer There have been laboratory studies showing that soursop extract can kill certain types of chemically resistant liver cancer cells.
Lung cancer Studies have also shown that soursop can inhibit the growth of lung tumors.

Soursop supplements are commonly used by people with breast, colon, and prostate cancer in some Caribbean countries. However, this has some risks. Long-term use of soursop supplements has been linked to nerve cell damage and nerve problems.
With long-term use, you may develop:
Movement disorders. Myelopathy, which causes Parkinson's disease-like symptoms. Liver and kidney toxicity. Soursop may also increase the effects of certain conditions and medications. You should stay away from soursop supplements if you are:
Pregnant. Have low blood pressure. Are taking blood pressure medication. Take medication for diabetes. Have liver or kidney disease. Have a low platelet count.

Soursop may also be associated with certain medical tests, including:
Nuclear imaging. Blood sugar test. Blood pressure index. Platelet count. Consuming small amounts of soursop in food or drink is unlikely to cause problems. However, if you start experiencing any unusual symptoms, stop eating soursop and see your doctor as soon as possible.
Beware of any over-the-counter (OTC) products that claim to cure or prevent cancer. Make sure that you purchase any dietary supplements from a trusted source. Please consult your pharmacist before using them.
Even if the soursop plant is shown to have anti-cancer properties in humans, the soursop plant still has great variation based on its origin. There is no way to know if OTC products contain the same compounds as those tested under laboratory conditions. Besides, there aren't any guidelines on how much soursop is safe to eat.
If you are considering supplementing your cancer treatment with soursop or any other supplement, talk to your oncologist first. Natural and herbal products can also interfere with cancer treatments.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends adding soursop to the diet as a food, not as a medicine. They do not follow the same safety and effectiveness requirements as drugs.
Although some studies highlight the potential of the soursop plant, it has not yet been approved to treat any type of cancer. You should not use it as a substitute for a doctor-approved treatment plan. If you want to use soursop as a complementary therapy, talk to your oncologist. They can educate you about the benefits and risks. If you need more advice and examination at Vinmec Health System Hospitals nationwide, please book an appointment on the website for service.

References: fda.gov, mskcc.org, cancerresearchuk.org