Graviola

Billion-dollar drug company nearly squashes astounding research on natural cancer killer

Colon and breast cancer conquered with miracle tree from the Amazon found to be 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy

Since our inception in 1996, Health Sciences Institute has scoured the world to find cutting-edge treatments few people have access to or have even heard about. And sometimes, what we uncover startles even the medical mavericks on our board.

Two months ago, we learned about an astounding cancer-fighting tree from the Amazon that has literally sent shock waves through the HSI network.
Today, the future of cancer treatment and the chances of survival look more promising than ever. There's a healing tree that grows deep within the Amazon rain forest in South America that could literally change how you, your doctor, and possibly the rest of the world think about curing cancer.

With extracts from this powerful tree, it may now be possible to…

• conquer cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that doesn't cause extreme nausea, weight loss, and hair loss
• protect your immune system and evade deadly infections
• feel strong and healthy throughout the course of treatment
• boost your energy and improve your outlook on life

Through a series of confidential communications involving a researcher from one of America's largest pharmaceutical companies, this ancient tree's anticancerous properties have recently come to light. Although not yet tested in human trials, the tree has been studied in more than 20 laboratory tests since the 1970s, where it's been shown that:

• effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 different types of cancer, including colon, breast, prostate, lung, and pancreatic cancer
• be 10,000 times stronger in killing colon cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug
• selectively hunt down and kill cancer cells without harming healthy cells, unlike chemotherapy

So why isn't every health publication extolling the benefits of this treatment? Why hasn't it been made widely available throughout the natural-medicine community? And, if it's only half as promising as it appears to be, why isn't every oncologist at every major hospital insisting on using it on all his patients? Especially when you consider that since the early 1990s, extensive independent research-including research by one of today's leading drug companies and by the National Cancer Institute-confirms that the tree's chemical extracts attack and destroy cancer cells with lethal precision.

The answer to these difficult questions can only be explained by recounting a disturbing story we recently uncovered. More than anything else we've reported on this year, the story of this Amazon cancer treatment reinforces the need for groups like HSI and illustrates how easily our options for medical treatment are controlled by money and power.

News of this amazing tree was nearly lost forever

A confidential source, whose account we've been able to independently confirm, revealed that a billion-dollar drug company in the United States tried for nearly seven years to synthesize two of the tree's most powerful anticancerous chemicals. In the early 1990s, behind lock and key, this well-known drug giant began searching for a cure for cancer-while preciously guarding their opportunity to patent it and, therefore, profit from it.

Research focused on a legendary healing tree called Graviola. Parts of the tree-including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit, and fruit seeds-had been used for centuries by medicine men and native Indians in South America to treat heart disease, asthma, liver problems, and arthritis. Going on little documented scientific evidence, the company poured money and resources into testing Graviola's anticancerous properties-and they were shocked by the results. Graviola was a cancer-killing dynamo. But that's where the story of Graviola nearly ended.

The pharmaceutical company had a big problem. They'd spent years trying to isolate and create man-made duplicates of two of the tree's most powerful chemicals. But they'd hit a brick wall. They couldn't replicate the original. And they couldn't sell the tree extract itself profitably-because federal law mandates that natural substances can't be patented. That meant the company couldn't protect its profits on the project it had poured millions of dollars and nearly seven years of research into.

As the dream of big profits evaporated, testing on Graviola came to a screeching halt

After seven frustrating years and without the promise of lucrative sales, the company shelved the project and refused to publish its findings in an independent journal. But one responsible researcher struggled with the decision. While understanding the company's goal of profits, he couldn't accept the decision to hide this unique cancer killer from the world. Following his conscience and risking his career, he contacted Raintree Nutrition, a company dedicated to harvesting plants from the Amazon.
As a result, Raintree went into high gear and began to research related studies published on Graviola. They discovered that several other teams in the United States (in addition to that of the drug company) had been testing Graviola in vitro (in test tubes). The results supported the drug company's secret findings; Graviola had been shown to kill cancer cells.
Encouraged by these early laboratory tests, Raintree hired indigenous Indian tribes in Brazil to grow and harvest the tree. They spent a year on research and development and then began offering Graviola in the United States. They also developed a new supplement called N-Tense, which contains 50 percent Graviola as well as smaller amounts of seven other cancer-killing botanical extracts.

Health Sciences Institute came across Graviola and Raintree Nutrition a few months ago while researching Chanca Piedra, a natural kidney-stone therapy from the Amazon, that was featured in our September 2000 issue. In the course of our working together, Raintree pointed us toward Graviola. And needless to say, our panel of experts were intrigued by the possibility of this powerful natural cure for cancer.

Graviola hunts down and destroys prostate, lung, breast, colon, and pancreatic cancers… leaving healthy cells alone

Since November, we've been looking closely into the research to date on Graviola. It appears one of the first scientific references to it in the United States was by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In 1976, the NCI included Graviola in a plant-screening program that showed its leaves and stems were effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells. But the results were part of an internal NCI report and were, for some reason, never released to the public.

Since 1976, there have been several promising cancer studies on Graviola. However, the tree's extracts have yet to be tested on cancer patients. No double-blind clinical trials exist, and clinical trials are typically the benchmark mainstream doctors and journals use to judge a treatment's value. Nevertheless, Graviola has been shown to kill cancer cells in vitro in at least 20 laboratory tests that our research has uncovered.

The most recent study, conducted at Catholic University of South Korea earlier this year, revealed that two chemicals extracted from Graviola seeds showed "selective cytotoxicity comparable with Adriamycin" for breast and colon cancer cells. The chemicals targeted and killed malignant breast and colon cells in a test tube-comparable to the commonly used chemotherapy drug Adriamycin.2
Another study, published in the Journal of Natural Products, showed that Graviola is not only comparable to Adriamycin-but dramatically outperforms it in laboratory tests. Results showed that one chemical found in Graviola selectively killed colon cancer cells at "10,000 times the potency of Adriamycin."

Other promising and ongoing research at Purdue University is supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute. Purdue researchers recently found that leaves from the Graviola tree killed cancer cells "among six human-cell lines" and were especially effective against prostate and pancreatic cancer cells.

In a separate study, Purdue researchers showed that extracts from the Graviola leaves are extremely effective in isolating and killing lung cancer cells.

Perhaps the most significant result of the study cited above from the Catholic University of South Korea, and of each of the others we've found, is that Graviola was shown to selectively target the enemy-leaving all healthy, normal cells untouched. By comparison, chemotherapy indiscriminately seeks and destroys all actively reproducing cells-even normal hair and stomach cells. This is what causes such often-devastating side effects as hair loss and severe nausea. In this respect, Graviola looks to be a promising alternative or supplement to mainstream treatments.

Patient reports show Graviola and N-Tense help eliminate tumors

From a clinical standpoint, Graviola still has a long way to go. Its properties have only been studied in a test tube. That's why it has yet to become widely known and accepted. The unfortunate truth is that without the promise of huge revenues from a synthesized, patented drug, it's unlikely that any pharmaceutical company will invest the hundreds of thousands (even millions) of dollars it would take to conduct the double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on humans. This is the underlying challenge to substantiating most nutritional therapies. Fortunately, Graviola is a natural substance, so we don't have to wait around for the drug companies. And, thanks to one researcher with a conscience, Raintree Nutrition bravely took the initiative in making this promising cure available.
Only a relative handful of doctors and patients in the United States have been using Graviola and the Graviola-rich botanical supplement N-Tense to fight cancer. Still, according to Raintree Nutrition, the combined therapy has produced some incredible results.

One such case history involved an executive at a high-tech company in Texas. Daryl S. came across Raintree when exploring alternative treatments to cure his prostate cancer. A sonogram and biopsy confirmed that Daryl had more than 20 tumors in his prostate. One doctor recommended surgery. But Daryl thought a cure using this common conventional treatment would come at too great a cost. He didn't want to suffer from impotence and incontinence for the rest of his life.

Instead, he agreed to a far less invasive round of hormonal therapy (to shrink the size of his prostate) and began a rigorous supplement regimen that centered around the Graviola-rich supplement N-Tense.

Within two months, Daryl's PSA level had dropped from 4.1 to 0.00. A sonogram and several other gamma-ray tests later confirmed that all the malignant tumors inside his prostate had disappeared.

Seven years of silence broken

We are continuing to work with Raintree and others conducting ongoing research on Graviola. As more scientific and anecdotal evidence comes to light, you'll be among the first to hear about it. However, after seven years of silence and hidden research, we felt it irresponsible not to bring this to you now.

Grown and harvested by indigenous people in Brazil, Graviola is available in limited supply in the United States and distributed only through Raintree Nutrition. But now, you can be among a select few in the entire country to benefit from Graviola. We encourage you, as always, to consult with your doctor before beginning any new therapy, especially when treating cancer.

Despite the mounting collection of laboratory tests and anecdotal reports about this cancer-fighting dynamo, Graviola may always remain an underground therapy!

Graviola has yet to be clinically tested on animals or humans. And because Graviola is a natural product, it can't be patented. Without the promise of exclusive sales and high profitability, it will likely never again draw the attention of a major drug company or research lab. So we may never see a double-blind clinical study on the tree that's reported to help defeat cancer.

But there's no doubt about it-the early laboratory tests and anecdotal reports about Graviola are very exciting. And if you've been diagnosed with cancer, you and your doctor should look at all the available treatment options. Graviola may just provide the help you've been looking for that could make all the difference in beating cancer.

Raintree Nutrition can supply you with more information on Graviola and N-Tense. See page 8 for ordering and contact information.


Graviola fights more than cancer…

While the research on Graviola has focused on its cancer-fighting effect, the plant has been used for centuries by medicine men in South America to treat an astonishing number of ailments, including:

• hypertension
• influenza
• rashes
• neuralgia
• arthritis
• rheumatism
• diarrhea
• nausea
• dyspepsia
• ulcers
• ringworm
• scurvy
• malaria
• dysentery
• palpitations
• nervousness
• insomnia
• fever
• boils
• muscle spasm

                        by Health Science Institute and with kindly licence of Raintree Nutrition

Graviola
(Annona muricata)

Family: Annonaceae
Genus: Annona
Species: muricata
Synonyms: Annona macrocarpa, A. bonplandiana, A. cearensis, Guanabanus muricatus
Common names: Graviola, soursop, Brazilian paw paw, guanábana, guanábano, guanavana, guanaba, corossol épineux, huanaba, toge-banreisi, durian benggala, nangka blanda, cachiman épineux
Phytochemicals: Acetaldehyde, Amyl-caproate, Amyloid, Annonain, Anomuricine, Anomuricinine, Anomurine, Anonol, Atherosperminine, Beta-sitosterol, Campesterol, Cellobiose, Citric-acid, Citrulline, Coclaurine, Coreximine, Dextrose, Ethanol, Folacin, Fructose, Gaba, Galactomannan, Geranyl-caproate Glucose, HCN, Isocitric-acid, Lignoceric-acid, Malic-acid, Manganese, Mericyl-alcohol, Methanol, Methyl-hex-2-enoate, Methyl-hexanoate, Muricine, Muricinine, Muricapentocin, Muricoreacin, Myristic-acid, P-coumaric-acid, Paraffin, Potassium-chloride, Procyanidin, Reticuline, Scyllitol, Stearic-acid, Stepharine, Stigmasterol, Sucrose, Tannin, Xylosyl-cellulose
Parts Used: Leaves, fruit, seeds, bark, roots

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: kills cancer cells slows tumor growth kills bacteria kills parasites reduces blood pressure lowers heart rate dilates blood vessels sedates

Other Actions: relieves depression reduces spasms kills viruses reduces fever expels worms stimulates digestion stops convulsions

Standard Dosage: Leaves. Infusion: 1 cup 3 times daily; Tincture: 2-4 ml 3 times daily; Capsules: 2 g 3 times daily

Graviola is a small, upright evergreen tree, 5–6 m high, with large, glossy, dark green leaves. It produces a large, heart-shaped, edible fruit that is 15–20 cm in diameter, is yellow-green in color, and has white flesh inside. Graviola is indigenous to most of the warmest tropical areas in South and North America, including the Amazon. The fruit is sold in local markets in the tropics, where it is called guanábana in Spanish-speaking countries and graviola in Brazil. The fruit pulp is excellent for making drinks and sherbets and, though slightly sour-acid, can be eaten out of hand.

Many active compounds and chemicals have been found in graviola, as scientists have been studying its properties since the 1940s. Most of the research on graviola focuses on a novel set of chemicals called Annonaceous acetogenins (see the bottom of the page for the comparison of Annona muricata and Annona montana)*. Graviola produces these natural compounds in its leaf and stem, bark, and fruit seeds. Three separate research groups have confirmed that these chemicals have significant antitumorous properties and selective toxicity against various types of cancer cells (without harming healthy cells) publishing eight clinical studies on their findings. Many of the acetogenins have demonstrated selective toxicity to tumor cells at very low dosages—as little as 1 part per million. Four studies were published in 1998 which further specify the chemicals and acetogenins in graviola which are demonstrating the strongest anticancerous, antitumorous, and antiviral properties. In a 1997 clinical study, novel alkaloids found in graviola fruit exhibited antidepressive effects in animals.

Annonaceous acetogenins are only found in the Annonaceae family (to which graviola belongs). These chemicals in general have been documented with antitumorous, antiparasitic, insecticidal, and antimicrobial activities. Mode of action studies in three separate laboratories have recently determined that these acetogenins are superb inhibitors of enzyme processes that are only found in the membranes of cancerous tumor cells. This is why they are toxic to cancer cells but have no toxicity to healthy cells. Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana, has conducted a great deal of the research on the acetogenins, much of which, has been funded by The National Cancer Institute and/or the National Institute of Health (NIH). Thus far, Purdue University and/or its staff have filed at least nine U.S. and/or international patents on their work around the antitumorous and insecticidal properties and uses of these acetogenins.

In 1997, Purdue University published information with promising news that several of the Annonaceous acetogenins were " . . . not only are effective in killing tumors that have proven resistant to anti-cancer agents, but also seem to have a special affinity for such resistant cells." In several interviews after this information was publicized, the head pharmacologist in Purdue's research explained how this worked. As he explains it, cancer cells that survive chemotherapy can develop resistance to the agent originally used as well as to other, even unrelated, drugs. This phenomenon is called multi-drug resistance (MDR). One of the main ways that cancer cells develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs is by creating an intercellular pump which is capable of pushing anticancer agents out of the cell before they can kill it. On average, only about two percent of the cancer cells in any given person might develop this pump—but they are the two percent that can eventually grow and expand to create multi-drug-resistant tumors. Some of the latest research on acetogenins reported that they were capable of shutting down these intercellular pumps, thereby killing multi-drug-resistant tumors. Purdue researchers reported that the acetogenins preferentially killed multi-drug-resistant cancer cells by blocking the transfer of ATP—the chief source of cellular energy—into them. A tumor cell needs energy to grow and reproduce, and a great deal more to run its pump and expel attacking agents. By inhibiting energy to the cell , it can no longer run its pump. When acetogenins block ATP to the tumor cell over time, the cell no longer has enough energy to operate sustaining processes—and it dies. Normal cells seldom develop such a pump; therefore, they don't require large amounts of energy to run a pump and, generally, are not adversely affected by ATP inhibitors. Purdue researchers reported that 14 different acetogenins tested thus far demonstrate potent ATP-blocking properties (including several found only in graviola). They also reported that 13 of these 14 acetogenins tested were more potent against MDR breast cancer cells than all three of the standard drugs (adriamycin, vincristine, and vinblastine) they used as controls.

In an 1976 plant screening program by the National Cancer Institute, graviola leaves and stem showed active toxicity against cancer cells and researchers have been following up on these findings since. Thus far, specific acetogenins in graviola and/or extracts of graviola have been reported to be selectively toxic in vitro to these types of tumor cells: lung carcinoma cell lines; human breast solid tumor lines; prostate adenocarcinoma; pancreatic carcinoma cell lines; colon adenocarcinoma cell lines; liver cancer cell lines; human lymphoma cell lines; and multi-drug resistant human breast adenocarcinoma. Researchers in Taiwan reported in 2003 that the main graviola acetogenin, annonacin, was highly toxic to ovarian, cervical, breast, bladder and skin cancer cell lines at very low dosages saying; “. . . annonacin is a promising anti-cancer agent and worthy of further animal studies and, we would hope, clinical trials.”
An interesting in vivo study was published in March of 2002 by researchers in Japan, who were studying various acetogenins found in several species of plants. They inoculated mice with lung cancer cells. One third received nothing (the control group), one third received the chemotherapy drug adriamycin, and one third received the main graviola acetogenin, annonacin (at a dosage of 10 mg/kg). At the end of two weeks, five of the six in the untreated control group were still alive and lung tumor sizes were then measured. The adriamycin group showed a 54.6% reduction of tumor mass over the control group—but 50% of the animals had died from toxicity (three of six). The mice receiving annonacin were all still alive, and the tumors were inhibited by 57.9%—slightly better than adriamycin—and without toxicity. This led the researchers to summarize; “This suggested that annonacin was less toxic in mice. On considering the antitumor activity and toxicity, annonacin might be used as a lead to develop a potential anticancer agent.”

All parts of the graviola tree are used in natural medicine in the tropics, including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit, and fruit seeds. Different properties and uses are attributed to the different parts of the tree. Generally, the fruit and fruit juice are taken for worms and parasites, to cool fevers, to increase mother's milk after childbirth, and as an astringent for diarrhea and dysentery. The crushed seeds are used against internal and external parasites, head lice, and worms. The bark, leaves, and roots are considered sedative, antispasmodic, hypotensive, and nervine, and a tea is made for various disorders toward those effects.

Graviola has a long, rich history of use in herbal medicine as well as a lengthy recorded indigenous use.
Folowing up, a brief summary of worldwide ethnomedical uses of graviola.

Region	Uses
Brazil	for abscesses, bronchitis, chest problems, cough, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, fever, intestinal colic, intestinal parasites, liver problems, neuralgia, nervousness, pain, parasites, rheumatism, spasms, worms
Caribbean	for chills, fever, flu, indigestion, nervousness, palpitations, rash, spasms, skin disease, and as a sedative
Curaçao	for childbirth, gallbladder problems, nervousness, and as a sedative and tranquilizer
Haiti	for digestive sluggishness, coughs, diarrhea, fever, flu, heart conditions, lactation aid, lice, nerves, parasites, pain, pellagra, sores, spasms, weakness, wounds, and as a sedative
Jamaica	for asthma, fevers, heart conditions, hypertension, lactation aid, nervousness, parasites, spasms, water retention, weakness, worms, and as a sedative
Malaysia	for boils, coughs, diarrhea, dermatosis, hypertension, rheumatism, and to reduce bleeding
Mexico	for diarrhea, dysentery, fever, chest colds, ringworm, scurvy, and to reduce bleeding
Panama	for diarrhea, dyspepsia, kidney, stomach ulcers, worms
Peru	for diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, hypertension, indigestion, inflammation, lice, liver disorders, parasites, spasms, tumors, ulcers (internal), and as a sedative
Trinidad	for blood cleansing, fainting, flu, high blood pressure, insomnia, lactation aid, palpitations, ringworms
U.S.A.	for cancer, depression, fungal infections, hypertension, intestinal parasites, tumors
West Indies	for asthma, childbirth, diarrhea, hypertension, lactation aid, parasites, worms
Elsewhere	for arthritis, asthma, bile insufficiency, childbirth, cancer, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, heart problems, kidney problems, lactation aid, lice, liver disorders, malaria, pain, ringworm, scurvy, stomach problems, and as a sedative

GRAVIOLA PLANT SUMMARY

Main Actions (in order):	anticancerous, antitumorous, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, hypotensive (lowers blood pressure)
Main Uses:	for cancer (all types) as a broad-spectrum internal and external antimicrobial to treat bacterial and fungal infections for internal parasites and worms for high blood pressure for depression, stress, and nervous disorders
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	antibacterial, anticancerous, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antifungal, antimalarial, antimutagenic (cellular protector), antiparasitic, antispasmodic, antitumorous, cardiodepressant, emetic (causes vomiting), hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), insecticidal, sedative, uterine stimulant, vasodilator
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	antiviral, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), decongestant, digestive stimulant, febrifuge (reduces fever), nervine (balances/calms nerves), pediculicide (kills lice), vermifuge (expels worms)
Traditional Preparation:	The therapeutic dosage is reported to be 2 g three times daily in capsules or tablets. A standard infusion (one cup 3 times daily) or a 4:1 standard tincture (2–4 ml three times daily) can be substituted if desired.
Contraindications:	Not be used during pregnancy. Avoid combining with ATP-enhancers like CoQ10. Graviola has demonstrated hypotensive, vasodilator, and cardiodepressant activities and is contraindicated for people with low blood pressure. People taking antihypertensive drugs should check with their doctors before taking graviola and monitor their blood pressure accordingly (as medications may need adjusting). Graviola has demonstrated significant in vitro antimicrobial properties. Chronic, long-term use of this plant may lead to die-off of friendly bacteria in the digestive tract due to its antimicrobial properties. Supplementing the diet with probiotics and digestive enzymes is advisable if this plant is used for longer than 30 days. Graviola has demonstrated emetic properties. Large single dosages may cause nausea or vomiting. Reduce the usage accordingly if this occurs. One study with rats given a stem-bark extract intragastrically (at 100 mg/kg) reported an increase in dopamine, norepinephrine, and monomine oxidase activity, as well as a inhibition of serotonin release in stress-induced rats. At large dosages (more than 300mg/kg) can cause sedation or sleepiness. If these effects occur, reduce the amount used.
Drug Interactions:	None have been reported; however, graviola may potentiate antihypertensive and cardiac depressant drugs. It may potentiate antidepressant drugs and interfere with MAO-inhibitor drugs. See contraindications above.

ACETOGENIN COMPARISON*

Graviola (Annona muricata) has 82 different acetogenin chemicals (in 10 distinct types). Mountain Graviola (Annona montana) contains as much annonacin (one of the main chemicals studied) as regular graviola does, and it has 26 more acetogenin chemicals not found in graviola (in 6 distinct types).

Type of Acetogenin	Graviola Mountain	Graviola	Paw Paw
Type 1: Vicinal dihydroxylated and olefinic linear acetogenins	7	-	-
Type 2: Olefenic and acetylenic linear acetogenins	9	-	-
Type 3: Mono-epoxy olefenic acetogenins	5	-	-
Type 4: Bis-epoxy acetogenins	3	1	-
Type 5: Dihydroxylated acetogenins	8	-	-
Type 6 Trihydroxylated and dihydroxylated ketonic acetogenins	4	2	3
Type 7: Tetrahydroxylated and trihydroxylated ketonic acetogenins	9	10	5
Type 8: Polyhydroxylated and tetrahydroxylated ketonic acetogenins	12	7	-
Type 9: THF a-monohydroxylated acetogenins	21	-	-
Type 10: Mono-THF iso-acetogenins	1	2	4
Type 11: THF-Hydroxy acetogenins	-	4	-
Type 12: Trihydroxylated and tetrahydroxylated acetogenins	-	-	4
Type 13: Trihydroxylated, dihydroxylated ketonic, tetrahydroxylated and pentahydroxylated acetogenins	-	-	9
Type 14: Adjacent bis-THF a-monohydroxylated acetogenins	3	-	1
Type 15: Non-adjacent bis-THF acetogenins	-	-	-
Type 16: Iso-bis-THF acetogenins	-	-	1
Type 17: Non-adjacent THF-THP acetogenins	-	2	-
Total acetogenins documented in the species	82	28	27

WARNINGS: Information, statements and products on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. The natural properties of the botanicals are only referred to their common uses among folk and herbal traditions. Our products are not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease as well. It's not meant to give any suggestion of diagnosis or disease treatment. Please see a doctor when needed.