Several studies have suggested that soursop (Annona muricata), a tropical fruit commonly cultivated in South America and the Caribbean, may possess anticancer properties that could complement standard medical therapy.
Research findings indicate that soursop extracts can induce apoptosis, inhibit tumour growth, and reduce drug resistance in various types of cancers, including metastatic breast cancer and colorectal cancer.
A study conducted by Sabrina Marie Paparo, Rebeca Mendoza, and others at Rowan University, New Jersey, investigated the potential of soursop in treating acute myeloid leukaemia and multiple myeloma, two forms of blood cancers known for high relapse rates and drug resistance.
The researchers found that soursop extracts visibly reduced cell viability in acute myeloid leukaemia and multiple myeloma cell lines, induced apoptosis, and downregulated the JAK/STAT pathway, which plays a key role in cancer cell survival and proliferation. These findings propose that soursop could target cancer stem cells, a major factor in drug resistance and relapse in blood cancers. The study concluded that further research is needed to evaluate soursop’s full therapeutic potential, particularly in clinical settings.
Beyond blood cancers, soursop has also demonstrated efficacy in breast cancer management in a study authored by Damien Mikael Hansra and colleagues. Published in Advances in Breast Cancer Research, the human subject noted a slow tumour progression after adding soursop tea to her treatment regimen alongside Xeloda—an anticancer medication used to treat breast cancer, gastric cancer and colorectal cancer.
The 66-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer who had progressed on multiple lines of conventional chemotherapy was said to have achieved ‘five years of stable disease’, with notable reductions in tumour markers.
Anonaceous acetogenins, a major component of soursop, are shown by researchers to selectively target cancer cells, which may account for its ability to slow the progression of tumours and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Although it admits that there are not enough extensive clinical studies to definitively prove soursop’s effectiveness, the case report emphasises the plant’s potential as an adjunct therapy.
Researchers have also investigated the tumour-suppressive properties of soursop in the fight against colorectal cancer. A study published in the Journal of Vocational Health Studies by Faiza Rahma Ebnudesita and others examined the effects of soursop leaf extract combined with curcumin and magnetic nanoparticles as a potential alternative therapy for colorectal cancer. The study found that acetogenins in soursop leaves exhibited selective toxicity toward colorectal cancer cells, leading to tumour cell death while sparing normal cells.
Additionally, the extract was found to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a key enzyme involved in inflammation and cancer progression, reducing the risk of tumour metastasis. The researchers suggested that soursop leaf extract could serve as an effective, low-toxicity option for colorectal cancer treatment, pending further clinical validation.
While these studies provide compelling evidence of soursop’s anticancer properties, researchers caution that more clinical trials are needed to determine its optimal dosage, efficacy, and potential side effects in human cancer treatment. Although soursop shows promise, it is not yet FDA-approved as a cancer treatment, and patients should speak with their doctors before using it during treatment.
Nonetheless, the growing body of research suggests that soursop could play a vital role in future cancer therapies, particularly as a natural, complementary treatment to existing chemotherapy treatments. As scientists continue to explore its mechanisms and clinical applications, soursop may emerge as a valuable tool in the fight against cancer.
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