Annona muricata (Graviola) (Annonaceae): Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Future Directions, a Review

Aims: Promote Annona muricata (Graviola) and provide information on its phytochemistry and bioactivity.

Study Design: Multidisciplinary advanced bibliographic surveys, utilization of ChemBioDraw software package, and dissemination of the resulted knowledge.

Place and Duration of Study: UR73, Development in Pedagogy and Health, Interdisciplinary Research Center of the National Pedagogical University, National Pedagogical University, Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, between June 2021 and July 2022.

Methodology: A bibliographic review was carried out to acquire information on the pharmacognosy and phytochemistry of A. muricata from various electronic databases (PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct and Google Scholar). The terms phytochemistry, pharmacognosy and the scientific name of this plant species were used as keywords for the search. The ChemBioDraw Ultra 15.0 software package was used to draw the chemical structures of natural compounds of A. muricata.

Results: From the results obtained, it should be noted that A. muricata is traditionally used as an analgesic or stimulant. Various studies inform that this plant has various pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, antihelminthic, cytotoxic, antipyretic, analgesic, healing and anti-sickling effects. Many natural phytochemicals like tannins, alkaloids, phenols, glycosides, flavonoids and steroids are responsible for its properties.

Conclusion: This review therefore helps to inform future research on the design and development of new relevant drugs from A. muricata to improve human health and well-being. Especially drug candidates for the treatment of cancer and tuberculosis.