Custard Apple (Annona squamosa L.): Exploring its Health Benefits and Medicinal Properties
Dharmendra Kumar Gautam
Department of Fruit Science, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh, India.
Vishvajeet Singh *
Department of Fruit Science, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda-210001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Sachin Kumar Singh
Department of Fruit Science, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250110, U.P. India.
Pratik Tiwari
Department of Horticulture, Post Graduate College, Ghazipur-233001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Prabakaran S
Division of Plant Genetic Resources, The Graduate School, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India.
Sameer Verma
Department of Fruit Science, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh, India.
Shivangi Tripathy
Department of Food, Nutrition and Public Health, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh, India.
Suraj Luthra
School of Agriculture, Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University, Dehradun Uttarakhand, India.
Ritik Chawla
Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173230, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Custard apple (Annona squamosa L.), a tropical fruit known for its sweet and creamy pulp, has been traditionally valued for its taste, health benefits, and medicinal properties. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, custard apple significantly enhance immune function, improve digestion, and promotes cardiovascular health. The fruit exhibits potent anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties, Primarly attributed to its bioactive compounds such as acetogenins, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Additionally, it has been used in traditional medicine to treat conditions like dysentery, diarrhea, and respiratory issues. The present review delves into the nutritional profile, phytochemical composition, and therapeutic potential of custard apples, emphasising their significance in contemporary healthcare and the need for additional research in the fields of pharmacology and nutraceuticals.
Keywords: Custard apple, annona squamosal, health benefits, medicinal properties, antioxidants, acetogenins, traditional medicine etc