Pawpaw

Generic name: Asimina Triloba (L.) Dunal.
Brand names: Custard Apple, Indiana Banana, Kentucky Banana, Pawpaw, Poor Man's Banana

Usage of Pawpaw

Antiangiogenic activity

In vitro data

In a rat aortic ring bioassay, antiangiogenic activity has been noted.(Monsen 2018)

Antioxidant/Antimicrobial activity

Pawpaw, especially unripe, has an abundance of phenolic compounds with superior antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activities Depend on the total phenolic content of each pawpaw tissue.(Nam 2017) Pawpaw roots may be useful as a natural source of natural antioxidants.

In vitro data

In a study evaluating phenolic components of ripe and unripe pawpaw fruit, pawpaw extracts were more sensitive against Corynebacterium xerosis and Clostridium perfringens; in particular, the 95% ethanol extract of the ripe fruit notably inhibited C. xerosis growth, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.56 mg/mL. These results showed the unripe fruit of pawpaw has abundant phenolic compounds and superior antioxidant activity, and that the 95% ethanol extract of the ripe fruit shows strong inhibitory activity against various microorganisms in vitro.(Nam 2019)

Cancer

Animal and in vitro data

Pawpaw (A. triloba) contains acetogenins that can inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells. The antiproliferative activity is higher in unripe than in ripe fruit and depends on acetogenin content.(Nam 2018) Certain acetogenins have exhibited cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines.(He 1996, Woo 1995, Zhao 1992, Zhao 1993) A mechanism of action may be inhibition of mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, causing a decrease in cellular adenosine triphosphate levels.(Janick 1996, Zhao 1994) Acetogenins may also inhibit hypoxia-inducible factor-1, resulting in the suppression of angiogenesis in tumors.(Coothankandaswamy 2010) Despite concerns regarding the toxicity of A. triloba extracts, limited studies have been conducted in rodents. Acetogenins may be less toxic than standard chemotherapy.(Johnson 2000)

Clinical data

No clinical data exist regarding the use of A. triloba in cancer; however, a trial has been conducted using acetogenins from an unrelated plant.(Indonesia University 2015)

Pesticidal activity

In vitro data

The pawpaw tree is usually insect resistant or disease resistant because of its acetogenin content, which deters the feeding of many organisms.(Janick 1996) In a brine shrimp larvae bioassay, pesticidal properties were demonstrated, with different plant parts having differing potencies. Small twigs yielded the most potent extract, while the leaves were the least potent. Unripe fruits, seeds, root wood and bark, and stem bark were also potent.(Ratnayake 1992) Extracts of the plant were anthelminthic in vitro.(Ferreira 2011)

Pawpaw side effects

Handling of the fruit may produce a skin rash in sensitive individuals.(Duke 2002) The sensitizing potential of pawpaw was examined in guinea pigs; the crude extract of the stem bark was a weak sensitizer and elicited allergic contact dermatitis. The active compound asimicin was determined to be a weak irritant.(Smith 2014) Acetogenins may also be irritating to the eyes.(Duke 2002)

Before taking Pawpaw

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

How to use Pawpaw

Clinical trials are lacking to provide guidance on dosing, and concerns of toxicity exist.(Levine 2015)

Warnings

Pawpaw fruit contains the neurotoxins annonacin and squamocin,(Avalos 1993) and has been linked to parkinsonism in some reports(Levine 2015); however, case studies are lacking.(Gupta 2011) The total amounts of annonacin and squamocin were higher in pawpaw than in any other fruits analyzed in a study comparing the fruits and seeds of pawpaw, atemoya, and marolo.(Tran 2020)

Neurotoxicity has been reported in rodents.(McLaughlin 2008, Potts 2012) Ames tests for mutagenicity have largely been negative.(McLaughlin 2008)

What other drugs will affect Pawpaw

None well documented.

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