Annona Genus: Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Biological Activities

Abstract

Species from the Annona (Anonaceae) genus are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Ethnobotanical studies provide information regarding the plant part and the preparation method being used, while scientific studies such as in vitro, in vivo, and clinical tests can provide evidence supporting ethnopharmacological reports, directing studies towards the isolation of compounds which may be active for specific pathologies. Annona muricata and Annona squamosa were the most commonly reported species from those studied, with Annona cherimola and Annona classiflora also standing out. Acetogenins were the most commonly isolated metabolite class due to their cytotoxic properties, with flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids and peptides also being reported. Many species from the Annona genus have proven biological activities, such as antitumor, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antifungal. The present review had as its objective to facilitate access to ethnobotanical, chemical and biological information in order to direct future researches.

Antihyperglycemic and Antilipidemic Properties of a Tea Infusion of the Leaves from Annona cherimola Miller on Streptozocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Mice

“…Furthermore, medicinal plants of the genus Annona have been studied due to their properties for treating several illnesses [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Several studies using aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Annona muricata , A. squamosa, A. stenophylla , A. macroprophyllata , and A. diversifolia have already shown their antidiabetic, antioxidant, antilipidemic, and antinociceptive effects, which are mainly attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds in their leaves [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]; therefore, they are a good source to search for new compounds with medicinal properties.…”

“…Local populations in México use their leaves to treat gastrointestinal disorders, worms, and diarrhea [ 18 ]. Similarly, extracts from other species of the genus Annona are also used for wide beneficial purposes [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Recently, studies have listed the compounds present in A. cherimola leaves [ 22 ] and highlighted their contents of flavonoids and other phenolic compounds, which could have a wide number of properties [ 23 , 24 ].…”

Antiamoeboid activity of squamins C–F, cyclooctapeptides from Annona globifora

“…To the best of our knowledge, these studies have focused on protozoal diseases, such as leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis and malaria ( Quílez et al, 2018 ). Nonetheless, metabolites isolated from the Annona genus stand out for their potent cytotoxic, antibacterial, antioxidant, vasorelaxant or anti-inflammatory activities, being few the reports referred to the antiprotozoal properties ( Quílez et al, 2018 ; Leite et al, 2020 ). Among compounds produced by Annona species, cyclic peptides comprise an interesting class of molecules that show a great variety in the number and composition of aminoacid residues.…”

Prospecção fitoquímica, teor de fenóis totais e atividade antiradicalar de extrato e frações de folhas de Annona sylvatica (Annonaceae)

“…O gênero Annona compreende cerca de 119 espécies, distribuídas na América e África tropicais (Pinto et al, 2005). Espécies deste gênero são conhecidas pela produção de frutos comestíveis e por suas propriedades medicinais, sendo utilizadas na medicina popular para o tratamento de diversas doenças, como antiparasitário, inflamações, diabetes e câncer (Mishra et al, 2013;Quílez et al, 2018;Leite et al, 2020). O seu uso medicinal motivou a realização de vários estudos farmacológicos com extratos, frações e substâncias isoladas destas espécies, sendo verificadas suas propriedades antitumorais, anti-inflamatórias, antioxidantes, antimicrobianas, antiparasitárias, citotóxicas, dentre outras.…”

“…O seu uso medicinal motivou a realização de vários estudos farmacológicos com extratos, frações e substâncias isoladas destas espécies, sendo verificadas suas propriedades antitumorais, anti-inflamatórias, antioxidantes, antimicrobianas, antiparasitárias, citotóxicas, dentre outras. Quimicamente, espécies de Annona são caracterizadas pela biossíntese de acetogeninas, alcaloides, flavonoides, triterpenos, esteroides e óleos essenciais (Quílez et al, 2018;Leite et al, 2020).…”