Evaluation of Decoction Extracts of Two Types of Soursop (Annona muricata) for Annonaceous Acetogenin Properties

The soursop or graviola (Annona muricata) is a tropical fruit which has a sub-acid sweet white pulp that is eaten fresh or used in making fruit drinks and sherbets. The leaf is used as a tea decoction which has been used as a cancer remedy, has shown broad spectrum antimicrobial, and anti-internal parasites and lowering blood pressure properties. This study evaluated the leaf and seed extracts of two types of fruit cultivated locally viz., i. local with high fibre, and ii. fibreless fruit from Cuba. The dry leaf and seed alcohol extracts were analyzed by LC-MS to determine the phyto-chemical and cytotoxic (anti-tumor) properties and to classify them into the group of active annonaceous acetogenins. Each sample were subjected to 3 (MS - ve, +ve mode, and UV) chromatograms. The results indicated that present in the seeds were the confirmed acetogenins - annomutacin or cis-annomontacin (10.26 with MW about 625), and the cyclic peptide called annomuricatin (MW 11.05). The leaf contained similar compounds as the seed with a few other things at MW 300. The UV spectrum identified two phenolic chromphores, and several flavonoid type compounds. Basically, there are more flavonoid type compounds in the leaf extracts and fewer if any acetogenins. Acetogenins are of great interest for their cytotoxic activities (anti-cancer) and are also toxic to insects.