Fact Check: Are Soursop Leaves 4000x Stronger Than Chemotherapy?

The Instagram post claims that soursop leaves 4000x stronger than chemotherapy. The claim is False.

Claim

An Instagram post titled, "Dr. Sebi revealed the secret to life before he disappeared" claims that "soursop leaves 4000x stronger than chemotherapy". In the post, the user laviahealthshop made several claims and one of the claims states that "soursop leaves 4000x stronger than chemotherapy."

The post has 223,842 likes and can be accessed here.

Fact check

The claim is False. Soursop leaves have shown toxicity against cancer cells in some studies, but there is no evidence to support the claim that soursop leaves are 4,000 times stronger than chemotherapy.

Health Benefits of Soursop Leaves

Soursop plants (Annona muricata L.) are commonly recognized as versatile medicinal plants and are frequently described as "magic trees." Communities across various countries worldwide have traditionally utilized soursop plants as herbal remedies. 

Soursop leaves contain a variety of active chemical compounds, including tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. The plant has demonstrated potential in inhibiting the growth of cariogenic and harmful bacteria, with terpenoids being among the key compounds contributing to its biological activity. In addition, soursop leaves are rich in nutrients and minerals, including acetogenins, annonacin, gentisic acid, linoleic acid, calcium, phosphorus, Vitamin C, and B vitamins, making them beneficial for health. They also contain antibacterial compounds like steroids, saponins, tannins, and flavonoids.

What is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy, often called chemo, is a cancer treatment that uses medications to destroy cancer cells. It can be administered in different ways, such as by mouth (oral) or through a vein (intravenous or IV). Chemotherapy can be used to treat cancer by curing it, reducing the chance of it coming back, or slowing its growth. It can also help relieve cancer-related symptoms. Sometimes, chemotherapy is used with other treatments to shrink tumours before surgery or radiation (neoadjuvant chemotherapy), destroy remaining cancer cells afterwards (adjuvant chemotherapy), improve the effectiveness of other therapies, or treat cancer that has spread or returned.

Dr. Prasad Eswaran, MBBS, DMRT, MD, DM (Medical Oncology), ECMO, Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist at Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, shared with Medical Dialogues the various advanced treatments now available alongside chemotherapy He explained, "There are now several advanced treatment options for cancer beyond traditional chemotherapy. These include targeted therapy, which focuses on specific molecules involved in cancer growth, immunotherapy, which boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer, and hormonal therapy, which blocks hormones that fuel certain cancers. These newer approaches provide additional avenues for managing cancer more effectively and are tailored to the individual needs of patients."

Are Soursop Leaves 4000x Stronger Than Chemotherapy?

Research has highlighted the nutritional and mineral-rich properties of soursop leaves, which contain compounds such as acetogenins, annonacin, gentisic acid, linoleic acid, calcium, phosphorus, Vitamin C, and B vitamins. Some studies suggest that soursop leaves may have the potential to inhibit cancer cell growth. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that soursop leaves are 4,000 times stronger than chemotherapy.

A study published in the Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences reported that ethyl acetate extracts derived from endophytic fungi isolated from soursop leaves showed toxicity against cervical cancer cells.

Another study published in the journal Oxidative Medicine Cellular Longevity Graviola (Annona muricata) another name for the soursop plant shows significant anticancer potential due to its bioactive compounds, such as acetogenins and alkaloids, which inhibit cancer cell growth, metastasis, and survival.

Similarly, a study featured in Pharmacognosy Journal revealed that A. muricata leaves possess properties that may make them useful in the development of alternative approaches for addressing cervical cancer.

Studies have highlighted the potential of soursop leaves in targeting cancer cells; however, no research has confirmed their role as a substitute for chemotherapy. The claim that soursop leaves are 4,000 times stronger than chemotherapy lacks support from scientific literature, and there is no consensus within the medical community to recommend or suggest their use as a replacement for chemotherapy or to attribute such potency to them.

Dr Prasad Eswaran, MBBS, DMRT, MD, DM (MEDICAL ONCOLOGY), ECMO Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist - Apollo Proton Cancer Centre told Medical Dialogues, "There is currently no scientific evidence to support a connection between soursop and chemotherapy or its effectiveness in treating cancer. While soursop has been traditionally used in some cultures and contains bioactive compounds, it is not a proven cancer therapy. It is essential to rely on medically approved treatments and consult healthcare professionals for cancer care."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

Soursop leaves are packed with nutrients and natural compounds, and there is interest in their potential health benefits. However, claims that they are stronger than chemotherapy are not backed by reliable scientific evidence. It’s important to trust proven medical treatments for serious illnesses and talk to a doctor before using any alternative remedies. Hence, the claim soursop leaves are 4,000 times stronger than chemotherapy is False.