Paw paw (Asimina triloba)
Synopsis
Asimina triloba, commonly known as paw paw, is a small deciduous tree native to the eastern United States. It produces a large, custard-like fruit with a tropical flavor, sometimes called "American custard apple." While the fruit is nutritionally rich—containing vitamin C, magnesium, iron, and antioxidants—the bark, twigs, and leaves of the tree have garnered interest for their medicinal properties, particularly for their anti-cancer potential.
The most bioactive compounds in paw paw are annonaceous acetogenins, a group of fatty acid derivatives unique to the Annonaceae family. These compounds have shown cytotoxic effects in vitro against a range of cancer cell lines. They work by inhibiting mitochondrial complex I, which disrupts ATP production in cancer cells and may help induce cell apoptosis (programmed cell death). This has made paw paw bark and twig extracts a subject of research in alternative cancer therapy, although human clinical trials remain limited.
Beyond its proposed anti-tumor effects, paw paw extracts have shown antimicrobial, insecticidal, and antiparasitic properties. However, due to the strength of its mitochondrial inhibitors, safety concerns exist, especially regarding long-term or high-dose use, which may pose risks to nerve and brain health. The fruit itself is generally safe and consumed for its nutritional and antioxidant value.
Historical Use in Medicine
Paw paw has a long tradition of use among Native American tribes, who consumed the fruit as food and reportedly used parts of the plant for digestive issues, lice, and parasites. The fruit was also valued for its energy-giving properties and included in trade and seasonal diets.
European settlers quickly adopted the paw paw for both its fruit and medicinal properties. Early American herbalists used infusions of the bark and leaves to treat fevers, infections, and worms. In Appalachian folk medicine, paw paw bark was occasionally used for intestinal parasites and as a digestive bitter.
Interest in paw paw's therapeutic potential surged in the 1990s and 2000s when researchers began isolating and testing acetogenins for their anticancer activity. This led to the development of commercial paw paw extract supplements, particularly marketed for immune support and as a natural adjunct to chemotherapy. However, their use remains controversial due to the lack of extensive clinical trials and potential for neurotoxicity if not properly dosed.
Body Systems
Breasts (Traditional)
Immune System (Traditional)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Mitochondria (Traditional)