Cancer
By Chukwuma Muanya.
Researchers have shown that a meal of soursop
could be the cure for diabetes, heart disease,
cancer, and diarrhoea.
They are known for their succulent white
endocarp. They are replete in southern Nigeria.
The fruit-pulp is soft with an agreeably sour
flavour. It is usually eaten raw but unfortunately
contains a quantity of fibre. It may be more
acceptable after some preparation, that is either
as juice, ice-cream, jellies but not jams.
Commonly called Soursop, Annona muricata is a
plant, which belongs to the family Anonaceae. H.
M. Burkill in the Useful Plants of West Tropical
Africa described the Soursop plant as "a small
tree attaining a height of about eight metre. A
native of tropical America, but now widespread in
the tropics, it is thought to have reached Africa
(Angola) by 1686. The trunk and timber do not
appear to have any particular uses."
Soursop is a medicinal plant that has been used
as a natural remedy for a variety of illnesses.
Several studies by different researchers
demonstrated that the bark as well as the leaves
has anti-hypertensive, vasodilator, anti-
spasmodic (smooth muscle relaxant) and cardio
depressant (slowing of heart rate) activities in
animals.
Researchers had re-verified Soursop leaf's
hypotensive (reduce blood pressure) properties in
rats. Other properties and actions of Soursop
documented by traditional uses include its use
as anti-cancerous, anti-diabetes, anti-bacterial,
anti-fungal, anti-malarial, anti-mutagenic (cellular
protector), emetic (induce vomiting), anti-
convulsant, sedative (induces sleep), insecticidal
and uterine stimulant (helps in childbirth). It is
also believed to be a digestive stimulant,
antiviral, cardio tonic (tones, balances and
strengthens the heart), febrifuge (cures fever),
nerviness (balances/calms the nerves), vermifuge
(expels worms), pediculocide (kills lice) and as
an analgesic (pain-reliever).
Researchers have confirmed the anti-viral activity
of ethanolic extracts of Soursop against Herpes
simplex virus. Extracts of Soursop have been
shown to have anti-parasitic, anti-rheumatic,
astringent, anti-Ieishmanial and cytotoxic effects.
Soursop has also been shown to be effective
against Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) cancer cell
lines. Extracts of Soursop were also shown to be
effective against the cancer cell line U973, and
hematoma cell lines in-vitro. Extracts were also
shown to be lethal to the fresh water mollusk,
Biomphalaria glabrata, which act as a host for
the parasitic worm Schistosoma mansoni. But
recent studies have described how extracts of
Soursop reduces blood sugar in diabetics by
improving insulin production, Improves
cardiovascular health by reducing blood fats, treat
drug resistant cancer, stop diarrhoea in children,
among others.
Nigerian researchers have evaluated the effects
of methanolic extract of Soursop leaves on the
pancreatic islet cells of streptozotocin induced-
diabetic rats. The results of the study indicated
that Soursop extract treatment decreased the
blood glucose concentration of diabetic rats due
to the regeneration/proliferation in the pancreatic
Beta cells (Beta-cells).
The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive
and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both
an endocrine gland producing several important
hormones, including insulin, glucagon and
somatostatin, as well as an exocrine gland,
secreting pancreatic juice containng digestive
enzymes that pass to the small intestine. These
enzymes help in the further breakdown of the
carbohydrates, protein, and fat in the chyme.
Beta cells (beta-cells, Beta-cells) are a type of
cell in the pancreas in areas called the islets of
Langerhans. They make up 65-80 per cent of the
cells in the islets. Beta cells make and release
insulin, a hormone that controls the level of
glucose in the blood.
Continued on Page 2
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