Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Hanuman Phal (Annona muricata) in the Adjunctive Treatment of Oral Cancer: A Review

ABSTRACT

Oral cancer stands among the most prevalent cancers globally because it leads to significant demise and high mortality numbers. Traditional cancer treatments encompass surgery plus chemotherapy and radiation therapy, whereas they bring about painful side effects that debilitate patients. The growing desire to find complementary therapies that include herbal remedies has emerged because these approaches help manage side effects and possibly enhance treatment results. Herbal medicine practitioners have used Annona muricata popularly known as Hanuman Phal extensively for treating different health conditions. This study investigates how Hanuman Phal has traditionally been used while looking at current research about its potential to serve as a supportive therapy for oral cancer. The results from preclinical investigations show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects together with anticancer properties in Hanuman Phal, but studies using clinical patients are necessary to prove its role in oral cancer therapy.

INTRODUCTION

Research by Ferlay et al.[1] shows that 377,000 fresh oral cancer cases and 177,000 annual deaths exist globally within the investigated regions. Surgical and chemotherapeutic and radiotherapy treatments yield beneficial results yet frequently produce three primary side effects that degrade patient life quality through mucositis and pain and dry mouth conditions. The search for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments has increased because patients need methods to reduce treatment side effects and aid their recovery process. Scientists investigate Annona muricata (Hanuman Phal) as a promising herbal remedy because Ayurvedic tradition has used this plant for centuries due to its wide range of medicinal properties.[2] The paper evaluates the historical medical uses of Hanuman Phal [Figure 1] together with its pharmacological characteristics and ongoing scientific research about supplemental oral cancer therapy with Hanuman Phal [Figure 1].

Figure 1.

Fruit of Annona muricata. Source: https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/health/hanuman-phal-or-soursop-is-a-miracle-fruit-health-and-know-benefits-of-laxman-phal/articleshow

TRADITIONAL USE OF HANUMAN PHAL IN MEDICINE

A wide selection of diseases finds therapeutic applications in Ayurvedic practices through the utilization of the plant Annona muricata.[3] The plant functions as a powerful component which strengthens immune responses while managing inflammation and preserving total body equilibrium. The herb shows anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties because it contains high levels of flavonoids terpenoids and phenolic acids.[2]

Ayurvedic medicine describes Annona muricata as a plant that supports equilibrium between the three bodily energies known as doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). Studied Ayurvedic literature indicates that the plant functions as a tonic by reducing fatigue and fever to promote healing in different illnesses that affect the skin and cause infections.[3] Annona muricata continues to be used for cancer therapy including oral cancer treatment because of its traditional use yet scientific evidence remains mostly casual and anecdotal. The scientific community has extensively analyzed both flowers and leaves from Annona muricata (Hanuman Phal) plants mainly because of their cancer-fighting properties.

1. Leaves: The anticancer properties of Annona muricata leaves derive from their active substances which include flavonoids as well as alkaloids and phenolic acids and saponins. Scientific studies show that plant compounds from Annona muricata have anticancer effects because they initiate cell death and stop cancer cell generation and change immune system responses.[4]

2. Flowers: Experts have researched the cancer prevention components in Annona muricata floral parts. Scientific studies have shown that flower extracts contain three elements including flavonoids along with phenolic compounds and glycosides which demonstrate toxicity against cancer cells. Scientific evidence shows that flower extracts perform significant anticancer functions against human breast cancer cells which makes them a promising complementary therapy for cancer treatment.[5]

3. Root: The therapeutic compounds within Annona muricata roots are made up of alkaloids and two subgroups, namely, flavonoids together with saponins and glycosides. The scientific community confirms that chemicals found in Annona muricata roots demonstrate anticancer qualities together with their capability to act as inflammation fighters and protect against both microbes and free radicals as documented by Reddy et al.[2] The scientific field requires additional medical study on rooted Annona muricata plants to determine their cancer prevention capabilities since previous examinations established their medicinal properties in flowers and leaves.

Traditionally, healthcare professionals treated various health conditions with Annona muricata root starting from digestive disorders and infections to fever.[3] Scientific investigations prove Annona muricata root retains its properties to boost the immune system and lower inflammation and function as an antioxidant beneficial for cancer treatment.

POTENTIAL FOR ANTICANCER ACTIVITY

The scarce research about Ashwagandha root as an anticancer agent exists because its compounds including flavonoids and saponins have already proven their anticancer effectiveness. The anticancer functions of saponins arise from their dual effect of triggering cancer cell death and blocking tumor growth.[2] The root demonstrates anticancer properties by its ability to control inflammation alongside oxidative stress which protects cancer cell spread through enhanced protective measures.

PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND MECHANISMS OF ACTION

Annona muricata benefits from medicine therapy because of its extensive range of bioactive compounds. Studies reveal that Annona muricata includes antioxidants and anti-inflammatories and antiviral and anticancer substances in its bioactive compounds which consist of flavonoids along with terpenoids and phenolic acids and alkaloids and steroids.[4] Studies prove that the present flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol destroy free radicals while decreasing oxidative stress which fuels cancer advancement.[2]

Through suppressing proinflammatory cytokines and enzymes such as cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), the plant achieves its main anti-inflammatory role.[4] The analyzed compounds demonstrate their capacity for minimizing radiation therapy and chemotherapy side effects because they effectively lower mucositis development. Scientific studies demonstrate that Annona muricata boosts immunological protection when it enhances the functioning of immune cells T lymphocytes and macrophages to eliminate cancer cells from the body.[2] The medicinal plant Annona muricata activates programmed cell death of cancer cells through apoptosis and simultaneously reduces cancer cell multiplication. Laboratory research demonstrates that Annona muricata extracts cause cancer cells to stop at the G1-phase of the cell cycle while enabling programmed cell death in breast, colon, and liver cancer cells.[4] Oral cancer cell growth and spread has the potential to be inhibited by such protective mechanisms.

CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH ON HANUMAN PHAL AND CANCER

The current scientific research explains specific factors about how Annona muricata functions as a cancer treatment antioxidant. Scientists continue their research on the therapeutic effectiveness of Annona muricata as a treatment for oral cancer after earlier investigations primarily studied breast cancer alongside liver cancer and colon cancer. Research on Annona muricata extracts proves that they have high potential to destroy cancer cells in laboratory samples. Symptoms of human breast cancer cells decrease under Annona muricata plant extract treatment, and the cells experience regular programmed death according to Suman et al.[5] This supports testing for solid tumor treatments.

The authors of Mishra et al.[6] studied the impact of Annona muricata on oral cancer progression through their murine laboratory experiment. The study data demonstrated that Annona muricata reduced tumors and prevented cancer cell spread to neighboring tissue, thus demonstrating its potential anticancer properties for oral carcinoma treatment. The study observed Annona muricata’s strength in enhancing immune system functions and its capacity to minimize tumor-related oxidative stress which strengthens its value for cancer therapy.

Most research to date about Annona muricata has demonstrated positive results, but it took place only under conditions involving test tubes and animals. Additional clinical trials must happen because they will determine the safety profile and appropriate dosage while verifying the effectiveness of Annona muricata as an oral cancer treatment.

POTENTIAL ROLE IN ADJUNCTIVE TREATMENT OF ORAL CANCER

The side effects from oral cancer treatment involving radiation with chemotherapy methods include mucositis and xerostomia (dry mouth) and oral infections among others. The side effects generate significant adverse effects on patient quality of life while reducing their ability to sustain treatment. Scientific studies have established Annona muricata as an effective complementary therapy because it demonstrates effects against inflammation and provides antioxidant support and adjusts immune responses.

Radiation therapy produces inflammation together with tissue damage inside the mouth which results in mucositis and ulcer development. The suppression of inflammatory cytokines alongside tissue repair promotion makes Annona muricata effective at decreasing radiation therapy symptoms.[7] The antioxidants found in this plant defend oral tissues against damage done by oral cancer together with chemotherapy and radiation side effects.

Annona muricata contains immune-enhancing properties which improve cancer cell response while simultaneously enhancing conventional therapy effects and minimizing cancer cell spread. The health benefits of Annona muricata indicate its value as a therapeutic aid for oral cancer management because it strengthens patient quality of life during treatment.

Precaution

Appropriate caution needs to be applied when seeds are intended for human food use. Extreme caution should be taken against the poisonous alkaloids muricine, muricinine, and hydrocyanic acid that exist in seeds because they generate severe eye irritation. A study in Caribbean regions revealed that typical Parkinson’s disease can develop from soursop seed consumption because of its Annonacin concentration levels.[8]

CONCLUSION

The plant Annona muricata displays significant potential as a secondary therapeutic agent for oral cancer treatment to alleviate conventional therapy effects including chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The bioactive compounds of flavonoids terpenoids and phenolic acids in the plant contribute to antioxidant and anticancer as well as anti-inflammatory properties with potential to boost overall oral cancer patient care by decreasing tumor progression alongside inflammation and oxidative stress.[4,5] Numerous therapeutic properties of plant extracts become vital when supporting individuals undergoing severe cancer treatments that cause mucositis and xerostomia and fatigue.[7] Current research consisting of studies on traditional use as well as in vitro tests and animal experiments indicates Annona muricata could support cancer treatment by reducing tumors and preserving immune system function.[6] The cancer treatment benefits of Annona muricata stem from its ability to manipulate immune system responses as well as lower inflammation and restrict cancer cell multiplication thus making it useful next to conventional cancer therapies. Annona muricata protects cells from chemotherapy and radiation damage to enhance therapeutic impacts yet healthcare professionals must create well-designed clinical trials for developing proper usage guidelines and safety parameters of Annona muricata in human cancer treatments. Initial research by professional investigators has yielded promising results, yet medical approvals from studies are vital for setting its precise role in contemporary cancer medical care. Customers must consult with doctors before using herbal remedies in cancer care as such remedies might interfere with standard cancer protocols and possibly generate negative side effects.[3] Scientific guidance is needed to establish safe methods for delivering conventional cancer treatment adjunct herbal remedies because their use continues to increase.

Author contributions

SNT and AAA: Concepts, design, definition of intellectual content, literature search, data acquisition, data analysis, manuscript preparation, manuscript editing, manuscript review, guarantor.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Funding Statement

Nil.