Annona cherimola
Cherimoyer
Annona cherimola, commonly known as cherimoya, is a tropical fruit prized for its creamy, custard-like texture and sweet flavor. Beyond its culinary appeal, this "superfruit" offers significant medicinal potential, containing bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties that support overall wellness and traditional healing practices.
- Scientific name: Annona cherimola
- Family: Annonaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Annona cherimola, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Magnoliales. Finally, it is a member of the family Annonaceae and falls under the genus Annona.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Magnoliales | WCVP |
| Family | Annonaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Annona | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Annona cherimola, is known by various common names depending on the region and language. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 秘鲁番荔枝 (zh-hans) or 秘鲁番荔枝 (zh-cn), while in Traditional Chinese, it is known as 秘魯番荔枝 (zh-hant). In specific regional contexts, it is called 毛葉番荔枝 (zh-hk) in Hong Kong and 毛叶番荔枝 (zh-sg) in Singapore.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 秘鲁番荔枝 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 秘魯番荔枝 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 毛葉番荔枝 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 秘鲁番荔枝 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 毛叶番荔枝 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 秘魯番荔枝 | Wikidata |
| pl | flaszowiec peruwiański | Wikidata |
| nah | Cuauhtzapotl | Wikidata |
| qu | Chirimuya | Wikidata |
| udm | Черимойя | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple continents and climatic zones. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is noted within the borders of Spain. Its range extends to the Macaronesian islands, specifically including Cape Verde. Within West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found in both the Gulf of Guinea Islands and Rwanda. Finally, its distribution reaches into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it is found in Ethiopia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Annona cherimola, commonly known as cherimoya, utilizes various components for its biological functions and potential medicinal properties. The large, fleshy fruit is the most prominent part, known for its sweet pulp, while the hard seeds contained within are often studied for their specific chemical compounds. The vegetative structure consists of sturdy stems that provide support and transport nutrients throughout the organism. Surrounding these are lush, green leaves, where each individual leaf serves as a vital site for photosynthesis, capturing energy to sustain the plant's growth.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Annona cherimola has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aromin-A, Terpene, annocherine A, annocherine B, artabonatine B.
- Total chemicals
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aromin-A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Terpene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| annocherine A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| annocherine B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| artabonatine B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cherianoine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cherimolacyclopeptide C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Annona cherimola has 10 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiprotozoal, Anthelmintic, Antidiabetic, Antigiardial, Antihyperglycemic.
- Total activities
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiprotozoal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antigiardial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Uterotonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Annona cherimola has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include dysentery, Entamoeba histolytica, Helicobacter pylori, antihyperglycemic, breast cancer.
- Total uses
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| dysentery | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Entamoeba histolytica | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Helicobacter pylori | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colon cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colorectal cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |