In Brazil, researchers have identified substances with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperalgesic (against persistent pain) and anti-arthritic activity in the leaves of Annona squamosa, a tree popularly known in the country as fruta-do-conde or pinha. The results of the research, supported by FAPESP through five projects (09/05992-6, 14/17436-9, 15/03726-8, 16/06407-3 and 21/09693-5), were published in the journal Pharmaceuticals.
The work involved scientists from the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and São Paulo State University (UNESP). The group evaluated the plant's methanolic extract (methanol is used as a solvent and then removed by evaporation to obtain a dry extract) and an isolated substance called palmatine.
As the authors explain, Annona squamosa is already used medicinally in several countries and is used in folk medicine to treat pain and arthritis. Several pharmacological properties have been observed, such as gastroprotective, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. It represents a possible alternative to the main pharmacological treatments for pain, opioid analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, whose prolonged use can cause various side effects such as addiction, ulcers and cardiovascular thrombotic events. It can also be an alternative to the main anti-inflammatory drugs, such as glucocorticoid analogs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which in chronic treatment can lead to adrenal insufficiency and insulin resistance, among other problems.