Antiproliferative Activity of Guabirobeira (Campomanesia xanthocarpa) and Soursop (Annona muricata) Seeds: Chemistry, Morphology and Uses

Guabirobeira plant (Campomanesia xanthocarpa of Myrtaceae family) is a native plant found in Brazil and is traditionally used for the treatment of gastric, diarrheal and inflammatory related problems. Seeds of Guabirobeira fruit have potential bioactive compounds that possess antimicrobial activity against gram negative bacteria (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) and antioxidant property. Guabirobeira plant is rich in mineral salts, nutrients, phenolic compounds, volatile oils, carotenoids and flavonoids. This chapter also summarises the potential biological activities in seeds, leaves and fruits such as anti-proliferative (5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-8-methyl-2-phenylchroman-4-one and gallic acid), anti-mutagenic, anti-tumor (pectin and other carbohydrates), antioxidants (PLGA and troxol), anti-hypercholesterolemia, antiulcerogenic, antidiarrheal and anti-inflammatory activities. The Soursop plant (Annona muricata of Annonaceae family), also known as Guanabana, Prickly Custard Apple, Graviola, is a native plant belonging to Central America, West Indies and few South American countries. The most prominent bioactive compounds of pharmacological importance in Soursop seeds include acetogenins, cyclopeptides and vitamin E. The acetogenins may be of linear, linear with one or two epoxy groups, mono THF containing, mono THF and mono THP (tetrahydropyran) containing, Bis-THF nonadjacent, Bis-THF adjacent type. The seeds also contain a considerable amount of anti-oxidants and are also rich in oils as well as proteins. Alkaloids, amides, carotenoids, flavonoids, megastigmanes and phenols are among the other bioactive compounds reported in various plant parts of Soursop. This book chapter summarized the reported biological activities like anti-proliferative, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-protozoal, anti-depressant activities and 51 types of bioactive compounds found in Soursop (Annona muricata) seeds.