Pawpaw is toxic to some cancer cells, but such effects have not been shown in humans.
Asimina triloba, commonly known as pawpaw, is native to North America and has edible bean-shaped fruits. The plant extract is used in anti-lice shampoo and in pesticides.
The major components of pawpaw are compounds known as acetogenins. They prevent the cell from making ATP, an important energy source. In lab studies, the extract killed cancer cells resistant to commonly used chemotherapy drugs such as adriamycin. It also appeared to be more toxic to cancer cells than to normal cells. However, studies on these effects have not been conducted in humans.
Purported Uses
Anti-lice treatment
Pawpaw extract has been shown to be effective as an anti-lice shampoo.
Anti-parasitic treatment
Studies have not evaluated pawpaw’s ability to kill parasites. There is laboratory-based evidence that attribute this ability to other closely-related plants.
Cancer treatment
Pawpaw has been shown to be effective against cancer cells in test tubes, but experiments in mice produced conflicting results. There are no published clinical studies in humans to determine the safety or effectiveness of pawpaw for cancer treatment.
Do Not Take If
You are pregnant.
Side Effects
Allergic reactions
Nerve toxicity
Vomiting
Special Point
There are several Web sites that promote pawpaw as an effective treatment for cancer. However, there is very little scientific evidence to support such claims.
Pawpaw should not be confused with graviola, also known as Brazilian pawpaw, or with papaya, another fruit with a similar texture and appearance.
Scientific Name
Asimina triloba
Clinical Summary
Asimina triloba, commonly known as pawpaw, is native to North America and has edible bean-shaped fruits.
In vitro studies show that pawpaw extract has cytotoxic effects against cancer cell lines including those resistant to adriamycin (1), as well as antiangiogenic activity (9). Compounds known as acetogenins are thought to be the active constituents (2). Clinical studies have not been conducted.
Extracts of pawpaw twigs and leaves have been used in anti-lice shampoos (3) and as pesticides (4).
Both the crude fruit extract and annonacin, a major constituent of pawpaw, cause neurotoxicity in vitro (10).
Asimina triloba should not be confused with graviola, also known as Brazilian pawpaw, or with papaya, another fruit with a similar texture and appearance.
Food Sources
Pawpaw fruit
Purported Uses
Lice removal
Pesticide
Cancer treatment
Mechanism of Action
Acetogenins, the active constituents of pawpaw fruit, inhibit Complex I of the electron transport chain and NADH oxidase, a protein in the plasma membrane (1). With the decrease in regenerable NAD, the ATP levels drop, leading to subsequent cell death by apoptosis.
In vivo experiments have demonstrated pawpaw’s cytotoxicity in mice (5). Pawpaw extract is also cytotoxic to multidrug-resistant cells in vitro, perhaps via inhibition of the P-170 glycoprotein, an efflux pump used by cells resistant to drugs like adriamycin (1).
Annonacin, a major ingredient of pawpaw fruit, and the crude fruit extract were shown to be toxic to cortical neurons (10).
McLaughlin J L, Benson GB, Forsythe JW. A novel mechanism for the control of clinical cancer: Inhibition of the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATO) with a standardized extract of paw paw (Asiminoz triloba, Annonaceae). http://www.pawpawresearch.com/pawpaw-trials1.pdf. Accessed July 3, 2019.
