Soursop Fruit Kills Cancer 100-Fold better Than

Chemotherapy

preventdisease.com
Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:53 CST


preventdisease.com
The fruit's extracts from Annona muricata tree selectively inhibit the growth of human breast
cancer cells.
The Soursop is a flowering, evergreen tree native to tropical regions of the world. It also
contains a long, prickly green fruit which happens to kill cancer up to 10,000 times more
effectively than strong chemotherapy drugs, all without the nasty side effects and without
harming healthy cells.

According to Cancer Research UK, Annona muricata is an active principle in an herbal
remedy marketed under the brand name Triamazon. The licensing for this product in the
UK is not accepted due to its enormous healing effects on the body and potential loss of
profits for competing pharmaceutical cancer drugs.

This tree is low and is called graviola in Brazil, guanabana in Spanish and has the
uninspiring name "soursop" in English. The fruit is very large and the subacid sweet
white pulp is eaten out of hand or, more commonly, used to make fruit drinks and
sherbets.

Besides being a cancer remedy, graviola is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent for
both bacterial and fungal infections, is effective against internal parasites and worms,
lowers high blood pressure and is used for depression, stress and nervous disorders.

Deep within the Amazon Rainforest, this tree grows wild and could literally revolutionize
what you, your doctor, and the rest of the world thinks about cancer treatment and
chances of survival.

Research shows that with extracts from this miraculous tree it now may be possible to:
Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not
cause extreme nausea, weight loss and hair loss
Protect your immune system and avoid deadly infections
Feel stronger and healthier throughout the course of the treatment
Boost your energy and improve your outlook on life
The source of this information is just as stunning: It comes from one of America's largest
drug manufacturers, the fruit of over 20 laboratory tests conducted since the 1970's.
What those tests revealed was nothing short of mind numbing...Extracts from the tree
were shown to:
Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer, including colon,
breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer.
The tree compounds proved to be up to 10,000 times stronger in slowing the
growth of cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic
drug!
What's more, unlike chemotherapy, the compound extracted from the Graviola
tree selectively hunts down and kills only cancer cells. It does not harm healthy
cells!
The amazing anti-cancer properties of the Graviola tree have been extensively
researched - so why haven't you heard anything about it?

The drug industry began a search for a cancer cure and their research centered on
Graviola, a legendary healing tree from the Amazon Rainforest.

It turns out the drug company invested nearly seven years trying to synthesize two of the
Graviola tree's most powerful anti-cancer ingredients. If they could isolate and produce
man-made clones of what makes the Graviola so potent, they'd be able to patent it and
make their money back. Alas, they hit a brick wall. The original simply could not be
replicated. There was no way the company could protect its profits or even make back
the millions it poured into research.
As the dream of huge profits evaporated, their testing on Graviola came to a screeching
halt. Even worse, the company shelved the entire project and chose not to publish the
findings of its research!
http://www.sott.net/article/242555-Soursop-Fruit-Kills-Cancer-100-Fold-better-Than-Chemotherapy
Is Sour Sop a Cancer Killer 10,000 times Stronger Than
Chemotherapy?
Outline
Widely circulated message claims that sour sop, the fruit from the graviola tree, is a
miraculous natural cancer killer that is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy.



Brief Analysis
In laboratory tests, graviola extract
has been shown to kill certain types
of liver and breast cancer cells that
are resistant to particular
chemotherapy drugs. One laboratory
study also found that a compound
isolated from sour sop seeds had
10,000 times the potency of one
particular chemotherapy drug on
colon adenocarcinoma cells.
However, as yet, there have been no
large scale tests on humans and
there is no credible evidence to
support claims that graviola is an
effective cure or treatment for cancer. Moreover, graviola may have harmful side effects
such as movement disorders and myeloneuropathy. Thus, while plant compounds in graviola
may have properties that can kill cancer cells in vitro, claiming that sour sop is a "miracle
unleashed" and a viable alternative to medical cancer treatments such as chemotherapy is
highly misleading and potentially very dangerous.



Example
SHARE THIS INFORMATION FIRST AND READ AFTERWARDS.....SAVE LIFE Share this as
much as you can.
10000 times stronger killer of CANCER than Chemo.. do share it.. can save many lives, fill up
hopes and build confidence in the patients...



Depositphotos.com/vaeenma

The Sour Sop or the fruit from the graviola tree is a miraculous natural cancer cell killer 10,000
times stronger than Chemo.
Why are we not aware of this? Its because some big corporation want to make back their money
spent on years of research by trying to make a synthetic version of it for sale.
So, since you know it now you can help a friend in need by letting him know or just drink some
sour sop juice yourself as prevention from time to time. The taste is not bad after all. Its
completely natural and definitely has no side effects. If you have the space, plant one in your
garden.
The other parts of the tree are also useful.
The next time you have a fruit juice, ask for a sour sop.
How many people died in vain while this billion-dollar drug maker concealed the secret of the
miraculous Graviola tree?
This tree is low and is called graviola ! in Brazi l, guanabana in Spanish and has the uninspiring
name soursop in English. The fruit is very large and the subacid sweet white pulp is eaten out
of hand or, more commonly, used to make fruit drinks, sherbets and such.
The principal interest in this plant is because of its strong anti-cancer effects. Although it is
effective for a number of medical conditions, it is its anti tumor effect that is of most interest. This
plant is a proven cancer remedy for cancers of all types.
Besides being a cancer remedy, graviola is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent for both
bacterial and fungal infections, is effective against internal parasites and worms, lowers high
blood pressure and is used for depression, stress and nervous disorders.
If there ever was a single example that makes it dramatically clear why the existence of Health
Sciences Institute is so vital to Americans like you, its the incredible story behind the Graviola
tree..
The truth is stunningly simple: Deep within the Amazon Rainforest grows a tree that could literally
revolutionize what you, your doctor, and the rest of the world thinks about cancer treatment and
chances of survival. The future has never looked more promising.
Research shows that with extracts from this miraculous tree it now may be possible to:
* Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause extreme
nausea, weight loss and hair loss
* Protect your immune system and avoid deadly infections
* Feel stronger and healthier throughout the course of the treatment
* Boost your energy and improve your outlook on life
The source of this information is just as stunning: It comes from one of America s largest drug
manufacturers, th! e fruit of over 20 laboratory tests conducted since the 1970's! What those
tests revealed was nothing short of mind numbing Extracts from the tree were shown to:
* Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer, including colon, breast, prostate,
lung and pancreatic cancer..
* The tree compounds proved to be up to 10,000 times stronger in slowing the growth of cancer
cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug!
* Whats more, unlike chemotherapy, the compound extracted from the Graviola tree
selectivelyhunts
down and kills only cancer cells.. It does not harm healthy cells!
The amazing anti-cancer properties of the Graviola tree have been extensively researchedso
why havent you heard anything about it? If Graviola extract is
One of America s biggest billion-dollar drug makers began a search for a cancer cure and their
research centered on Graviola, a legendary healing tree from the Amazon Rainforest.
Various parts of the Graviola treeincluding the bark, leaves, roots, fruit and fruit-seedshave
been used for centuries by medicine men and native Indi! ans in S outh America to treat heart
disease, asthma, liver problems and arthritis. Going on very little documented scientific evidence,
the company poured money and resources into testing the trees anti-cancerous propertiesand
were shocked by the results. Graviola proved itself to be a cancer-killing dynamo.
But thats where the Graviola story nearly ended.
The company had one huge problem with the Graviola treeits completely natural, and so, under
federal law, not patentable. Theres no way to make serious profits from it.
It turns out the drug company invested nearly seven years trying to synthesize two of the
Graviola trees most powerful anti-cancer ingredients. If they could isolate and produce man-
made clones of what makes the Graviola so potent, theyd be able to patent it and make their
money back. Alas, they hit a brick wall. The original simply could not be replicated. There was no
way the company could protect its profitsor even make back the millions it poured into research.
As the dream of huge profits evaporated, their testing on Graviola came to a screeching halt.
Even worse, the company shelved the entire project and chose not to publish the findings of its
research!
Luckily, however, there was one scientist from the Graviola research team whose conscience
wouldnt let him see such atrocity committed. Risking his career, he contacted a company thats
dedicated to harvesting medical plants from the Amazon Rainforest and blew the whistle.
Miracle unleashed
When researchers at the Health Sciences Institute were alerted to the news of Graviola,! they be
gan tracking the research done on the cancer-killing tree. Evidence of the astounding
effectiveness of Graviolaand its shocking cover-upcame in fast and furious.
.The National Cancer Institute performed the first scientific research in 1976. The results
showed that Graviolas leaves and stems were found effective in attacking and destroying
malignant cells. Inexplicably, the results were published in an internal report and never released
to the public
.Since 1976, Graviola has proven to be an immensely potent cancer killer in 20 independent
laboratory tests, yet no double-blind clinical trialsthe typical benchmark mainstream doctors and
journals use to judge a treatments valuewere ever initiated.
.A study published in the Journal of Natural Products, following a recent study conducted at
Catholic University of South Korea stated that one chemical in Graviola was found to selectively
kill colon cancer cells at 10,000 times the potency of (the commonly used chemotherapy drug)
Adriamycin
.The most significant part of the Catholic University of South Korea report is that Graviola was
shown to selectively target the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched. Unlike
chemotherapy, which indiscriminately targets all actively reproducing cells (such as stomach and
hair cells), causing the often devastating side effects of nausea and hair loss in cancer patients.
A study at Purdue University recently found that leaves from the Graviola tree killed cancer
cells among six human cell lines and were especially effective against prostate, pancreatic and
lung cancers Seven years of silence brokenits finally here!"

Detailed Analysis
This would-be health advisory informs recipients about the supposedly miraculous
cancer killing powers of sour sop, the fruit of the graviola tree. According to the
message, sour sop is a natural cancer killer that has been proven to be a whopping
10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy in treating cancers. The message also
claims that, although drug companies are aware of the graviola's amazing cancer
fighting properties, they have chosen not to release the information to the public or
pursue further research because they will not be able to make any money out of it.
The message claims that, since the graviola tree is "all natural", it is not patentable
and drug companies therefore cannot make profits from it.
However, the claims in the message are highly misleading and inaccurate. The
author of the message has taken a core of truthful information from scientific
studies pertaining to graviola and extrapolated wildly, tacking on a host of false assumptions,
misused statistics and ridiculous accusations in a rather lame attempt to make her claims
sound more credible.

So, lets start at the beginning. Graviola extracts have demonstrated anticancer properties in
laboratory tests, but these extracts have not been properly studied in humans. In its article
about graviola, Cancer Research UK notes:
In laboratory studies, graviola extracts can kill some types of liver and breast cancer
cells that are resistant to particular chemotherapy drugs. But there havent been any
large scale studies in humans. So we don't know yet whether it can work as a cancer
treatment or not.
Thus the claims in the message that the fruit has been extensively researched and
has been found to be a miraculous natural remedy for many kinds of cancer is simply
not true. There is, as yet, no credible evidence to support the idea that eating sour
sop will cure or effectively treat cancer in humans. The abstract of a 2008 study into
Complementary therapies, herbs, and other OTC agents notes:
Graviola demonstrated anticancer effects in vitro, but has not been studied in
humans. Despite the lack of human data, many websites promote graviola to cancer
patients based on traditional use and on the in vitro studies. Caution is required as
there is no evidence of safety or efficacy.
And Cancer Research UK further explains:
Many sites on the internet advertise and promote graviola capsules as a cancer cure,
but none of them are supported by any reputable scientific cancer organisations.
An article about graviola on the CancerNetwork website concurs:
Despite the absence of supportive data, graviola, like many herbal products, is
heavily promoted to cancer patients on the Internet, often with false claims of cure.
Patients should be cautioned against herbal supplement use when on treatment.
So, what of the claim in the message that graviola is "10,000 times stronger than
chemotherapy"? This claim again deliberately misrepresents an existing medical
study. A 1996 study found that a compound isolated and extracted from the seeds of
annona muricata (sour sop) had 10,000 times the potency of the chemotherapy drug
adriamycin on colon adenocarcinoma cells. However, these results are for only one
kind of chemotherapy drug. And, unless a cancer patient were to eat the fruit's seeds
rather than the fruit itself, they would not receive the cancer killing compound.
Moreover, these tests were performed in the laboratory. Humans were not tested.

And, of course, the message quite conveniently forgets to mention the possible
negative side effects of graviola. Cancer Research UK again:
We know very little about how graviola affects the body. But we do know that it may
cause nerve changes, causing symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. So it may
have harmful side effects for some people. Always talk to your doctor before taking
any kind of complementary or alternative therapy.
The Cancer Network article notes:
Graviola may cause movement disorders and myeloneuropathy with symptoms
similar to Parkinsons disease
The message suggests
that drug companies have
not proceeded with
research and development
of potential sour sop based
medications because the
product was natural and
they therefore could not
make money out of it.
However, that claim is
simply absurd. A great
many of the drugs
available today come from
natural products. And the
drug companies that
create and distribute them
make very large amounts of money as a result. Any cancer treatment derived from
sour sop would likely consist of compounds and extracts that could be administered
to patients in the same ways as other medications. And, the development and
distribution of such sour sop based medicines would fall to the drug companies. If
the resulting treatment was successful, the drug would make such companies great
deals of money. So, the claim that a drug company has shelved research and
development of the product because it could not make money out of it is just plain
silly.

And the great irony here is that many "natural health" companies already offer
"graviola supplements" - often with exaggerated and unsupported claims about the
product's benefits - at inflated prices and are therefore already making large amounts
of money. If further research indicates that graviola can be used to create an
effective anti-cancer drug, then you can be sure that the drug companies will
certainly jump on board. Meanwhile, natural health product providers are already
making plenty of money out of sour sop supplements - without the need to
scientifically prove the product's effectiveness.

The circulating message was apparently lifted from a 2009 Health Sciences Institute
website article geared to getting readers to sign up for a "free" report. HSI is an
"alternative" health information site "dedicated to uncovering and researching the
most urgent advances in modern underground medicine". Despite the impressive
sounding name, credible and reputable "health science" information does not appear
to be at all high on HSI's agenda.

The bottom line? Graviola, like many other plants, has shown promise in laboratory
tests as a possible cancer fighting agent. However, given that there have been no
significant human tests of the products and there is currently no evidence to suggest
that eating sour sop will cure or effectively treat cancer, spreading this over-hyped
and inaccurate nonsense will help nobody. Especially since the possible side effects
of graviola are not fully understood and may be quite dangerous. And another great
danger of such misinformation is that it may cause some cancer patients to forgo
traditional treatments in favour of self prescribed sour sop. Such a decision could be
fatal.

Depositphotos.com/vaeenma



Treating Cancer by Consuming Fruit Annona Muricata
Treating Cancer by Consuming Fruit Annona Muricata
In the plant soursop fruit and leaves are included deposits of high-value
compounds, such as fructose, calcium, protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron,
vitamin A, and Vitamin b. secondary metabolites that are contained on the
soursop fruit and leaves are compound the tanin, fitostero and alkoloida A
compound that attracted the attention of researchers is asetogenin.

This is the specific compounds contained in the plant family Annonaceae. its
character is closely associated with the activity of anti tumor, anti-bacterial and
insecticides. From research, asetogenin contained within the soursop can be
used to hit the colon cancer cells, pancreatic, ovarian, colon, breast, liver, and
cervical.

In a study with animal experiments have proved that there are antioxidant
activity of compounds contained in the soursop, the anti-cancer benefits one
of which is very related to the ability of the compound to protect healthy cells
from the damage that can trigger an attack on cancer.

In the system of traditional medicine Ayurveda, India has the reputation of the
plant soursop is great as an anti cancer. Support the research results prove,
leaves of this plant contain compounds of asetogenin named bullatasin from
the fruit of Annona, namely Annona atemoya. This compound can induce
apoptosis turned out. Other asetogenin compounds, namely murisin,
murikatetrosin, longifolisin, korossolin and korossolan proved positive as a
result of cytotoxic tumor cells.

Annona muricata, called soursop due to the sweet and sour flavor of the large fruit, is a lowland tropical fruit-
bearing tree in the Annonaceae family. Related species include cherimoya (A. cherimola) and sugar-apple (A.
squamosa); paw paw (Asimina triloba) is also in the family. Other common names include graviola and
guanbana (sometimes shortened to guanba). The soursop is native to tropical Central and South America and
the Caribbean, but is now widely cultivated in tropical areas worldwide, including southern Florida and Southeast
Asia, from sea level to altitudes of around 1150 meters. It has occasionally escaped cultivation and become
naturalized (Wikipedia 2011, Flora of Pakistan 2011). It is considered invasive in the Galpagos, French
Polynesia, Hawaii, Tonga, and Australia (PIER 2011).
Last updated: March 14, 2013
First published: March 14, 2013
By Brett M. Christensen

Soursop is a slender, small, and cold-intolerant tree, generally reaching heights of 46 meters (1320 feet); it
flowers at can bear fruit 35 years after planting. Leaves are glossy, dark green, and generally evergreen, with a
distinctive odor (Morton 1987). Its fruits are the largest of the Annona species, 2030 cm (812 in) long, often
weighing 4.5 kg, with exceptional fruits as large as 7 kg (Flora of Pakistan 2011, NAS 1989). The fruits have
green inedible skins, with many soft, curved spines, but the white, juicy pulp is edible. It has an aroma of
pineapple but a sour or musky flavor, and is eaten fresh or used for making juices and other beverages (including
the Cuban champola de guanbana), as well as custards and sherbets and other dishes in South America, the
Caribbean, and Indonesia (Morton 1987, Popenoe 1920).

Soursop (frequently referred to as graviola in this context) has numerous traditional medicinal uses in South
American and the Caribbean, and it has become a popular nutritional medicinal supplement. Fruit, seeds, bark,
leaves, and roots have all been used to treat intestinal parasites, coughs (including asthma and bronchitis), liver
ailments, inflammation, diabetes, and hypertension, among many uses (Morton 1987, Taylor 2005); seeds are
insecticidal and a preparation from the leaves has been used to kill headlice and bedbugs (Morton 1987, Flora of
Pakistan 2011). Research on extracts of graviola have documented antiviral, antiparasitic, antirheumatic, anti-
inflammatory, and antihyperglycemic properties; it has also been used as an anti-depressant and at least one
study has found it effective against multi-drug resistant cancer cells (Sloan-Kettering 2011, Oberlies et al. 1997).
Acetogenins are the alkaloid compounds thought to be responsible for these effects, although other components,
including quinolones, annopentocins, and annomuricins may also be involved.

In addition to the health benefits, soursop (along with other members of the Annonaceae family) also contains
small amounts of neurotoxic alkaloids, such as annonacin, which appear to be linked to atypical Parkinsonism
and other neurological effects if consumed frequently or in large quantities (Sloan-Kettering 2011, Champy et al.
2005, Caparros-Lefebvre and Elbaz 1999).
Flora of Pakistan. 2011. Annona muricata. Retrieved 15
Novemberhttp://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200008507.
Morton, J. F. 1987. Soursop. Fruits of warm climates. Miami: Florida Flair Books. Pp. 7580.
Accessed 14 November 2011 from http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/soursop.html.
NAS. 1989. Lost Crops of the Incas: Little-Known Plants of the Andes with Promise for Worldwide
Cultivation. Ad Hoc Panel of the Advisory Committee on Technology Innovation, Board on Science
and Technology for International Development, National Research Council. Washington, DC: The
National Academies Press. Available online from http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=1398.
Popenoe, Wilson. 1920. Manual of tropical and subtropical fruits: excluding the banana, coconut,
pineapple, citrus fruits, olive, and fig. New York: Macmillan. Pp. 1923. Retrieved 13 November 2011
from
GoogleBooks, http://books.google.com/books?id=kTAaAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA192&dq=mountain+sourso
p+cultivation&hl=en&ei=iXvfTsjfNOfk0QGQnPymBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3


Graviola (Annona muricata)

September 01, 2008 | Integrative Oncology, Oncology Journal
By Guest Editor Barrie Cassileth, PhD
Integrative Oncology is the synthesis of mainstream care and nonpharmacologic, evidence-based
complementary therapies for the control of cancer-related physical and emotional symptoms.
Herb-drug interactions and other cautions are also encompassed. In this first installment of
ONCOLOGYs new department, we review graviola. Graviola was chosen for review because it is
one of the most commonly searched terms sought by visitors to MSKCCs About Herbs website.
Because graviola is commonly promoted as a cancer treatment, your patients may be inclined to
take it.
Herbal supplements are commonly used by cancer patients for symptom relief and also in efforts to
treat the disease itself. Patients should understand that herbal supplements are not viable
substitutes for mainstream cancer care. Moreover, there is substantial potential for herb-drug
interactions that may reduce the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents.
Despite the absence of supportive data, graviola, like many herbal products, is heavily promoted to
cancer patients on the Internet, often with false claims of cure. Patients should be cautioned against
herbal supplement use when on treatment.
Because reliable information about herbs and other dietary supplements was not readily available to
oncologists who need it to counsel their patients, the MSKCC Integrative Medicine Service developed
and maintains a free website. The AboutHerbs website (http://www.mskcc.org/AboutHerbs) now
has two portals, one for oncology professionals and another for the public. Anyone may enter either
portal at no cost. This site is updated continually and provides objective information on herbs and
other botanicals as well as vitamins, other dietary supplements, and unproved cancer therapies. Visit
the MSKCC website and watch for coverage of other common herbal products and complementary
therapies in future issues of ONCOLOGY.
Barrie Cassileth, PhD
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Annona muricata
ALSO KNOWN AS: Cherimoya, guanabana, corossol, soursop, custard apple, brazilian paw paw
USES: Graviola is used as a sedative and to treat infections, herpes, and cancer.
BACKGROUND: Graviola is an evergreen tree native to Mexico, the Carribean, and Central and South
America. It is also grown in parts of Southeast Asia. The fruits, seeds, and leaves are used to treat
stomach ailments, fever, parasitic infections, hypertension, and rheumatism. It is sold as capsules,
tablets, powder for infusions (very dense teas), and tinctures.
RESEARCH: Acetogenins, phytochemicals isolated from the leaves, bark, and twigs of graviola, are
thought to be the active ingredients. Ethanolic extracts of graviola were effective against Herpes
simplex virus,[1] leishmania, a protozoan that causes leishmaniasis,[2] and the freshwater mollusk
Biomphalaria glabrata, which acts as a host for the parasitic worm Schistosoma mansoni.[3]
Alkaloids extracted from graviola were found detrimental to the survival of dopaminergic nerve cells
in vitro[4] and can cause neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. Graviola may also have
antidepressive activity due to its ability to stimulate serotonin receptors.[5]
Extracts of graviola demonstrated cytotoxic effects against hepatoma cells[6] and doxorubicin-
resistant human mammary adenocarcinoma cells[7] by blocking ATP utilization and by inhibiting
activity of plasma membrane glycoprotein. But human studies are lacking.
ADVERSE EFFECTS: Graviola may cause movement disorders and myeloneuropathy with symptoms
similar to Parkinsons disease.[5]
SUMMARY: Graviola demonstrated anticancer effects in vitro, but has not been studied in humans.
Despite the lack of human data, many websites promote graviola to cancer patients based on
traditional use and on the in vitro studies. Caution is required as there is no evidence of safety or
efficacy.
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
1. Padma P et al: J Ethnopharmacol 61:81-83, 1998.
2. Jaramillo MC et al: Fitoterapia 71:183-186, 2000.
3. dos Santos AF, SantAna AE: Phytomedicine 8:115-120, 2001.
4. Lannuzel A et al: Mov Disord 17:84-90, 2002.
5. Roman G: Curr Opin Neurol 11:539-544, 1998.
6. Chen JC et al: Am J Chin Med 28:175, 2000.
7. Oberlies NH, Chang CJ: J Med Chem 40:2102-2106, 1997.
For additional information, visit www.mskcc.org/AboutHerbs.
- See more at: http://www.cancernetwork.com/integrative-oncology/graviola-annona-
muricata#sthash.sgGqYRqE.dpuf