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Review
. 2022 May 27;27(11):3462.
doi: 10.3390/molecules27113462.

Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of Annonacae

Bassam S M Al Kazman  1 , Joanna E Harnett  1 , Jane R Hanrahan  1
Affiliations
Review

Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of Annonacae

Bassam S M Al Kazman et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

In 1789, the Annonaceae family was catalogued by de Jussieu. It encompasses tropical and subtropical plants which are widespread in distribution across various continents such as Asia, South and Central America, Australia and Africa. The genus of Annona is one of 120 genera of the Annonaceae family and contains more than 119 species of trees and shrubs. Most species are found in tropical America, where over 105 species have been identified. Due to its edible fruits and medicinal properties, Annona is the most studied genus of Annonaceae family. To date, only a limited number of these species have economic value, including A. squamosa L. (sugar apple), A. cherimola Mill. (Cherimoya), A. muricata L. (guanabana or soursop), A. atemoya Mabb. (atemoya), a hybrid between A. cherimola and A. squamosa, A. reticulata L. (custard apple), A. glabra L. (pond-apple) and A. macroprophyllata Donn. Sm. (ilama). Phytochemically, several classes of secondary metabolites, including acetogenins, essential oils, alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids. The pharmacological activities of Annona species leaves and seeds include antibacterial, anticancer, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Keywords: Annona; Annonaceae; bioactivity; custard apple; ethnomedicinal pharmacological activity; phytochemistry.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Structure of selected compounds identified in Annona species.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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