Phytochemical properties of guava plants (Psidium guajava): a review.

Abstract

The traditional practice of medicine has been a core of cultures everywhere in the world.Inthisaspect,scientistsandresearchershavebeenlookingfornaturalsources such as plants to study their benefits to mankind. In recent years guava is getting popularduetotheenormousbenefitsrenderedbyitintheinternationaltrade.It deserving rises due to its nutritious significance, besides having various pharmacological applications, including its leaf's antimicrobial effect, the use of fruit and juice from its leaves to treat diarrhea dysentery, diabetes mellitus, and many others. Theuseofitsseedsandbarkis also known. However, due to presence of rich constituents, the guava also is a potentialsourceofantioxidantswhichcanbeusedincosmeticand/ordermatological industryforgeneratingnewformulations.Inreviewalsosuggeststheantifungaland antibacterial property of guava which was estimated against a number of bacterial strains. Methanolic and aqueous extracts from Psidium guajava, were analyzed for the existence of phytochemicals and tested for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in this study. The phytochemical investigation has shown that guava leaves' extract is abundant in various secondary metabolites, such as polyphenols. Guava leaves have also been shown to be high in flavonoids, phenols and tannins, while components such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and triterpenes are present in relatively lower concentrations.