Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, toxicology and anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Psidium guajava L. leaves: a review

Abstract

Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae), known as guava, is an important plant species with diverse medicinal values. In traditional medicine, it is used for the treatment of a series of diseases, such as disorder of the digestive system, in inflammatory processes, in the treatment of cavities, in dermatomucosal disorders, as an analgesic, in respiratory disorders, among others. Its actions can be attributed to the plethora of bioactive compounds extracted from P. guajava. The objective of this review is to provide
updated information about the ethnomedicinal uses, bioactive compounds, potential anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive actions, in addition to the toxicity of the leaves of P. guajava L. The search strategy used contained the scientific name, synonyms and popular names of the plant species. The databases consulted were Cochrane, Medline, SCOPUS, Science Direct, Web of Science, Lilacs, SciELO, Google academic and Google books.; in addition to monographs in official compendiums. Among the main phytochemicals extracted from P. guajava leaves, compounds from the groups of flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins and essential oils can be mentioned. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that derivatives of the leaves of the plant species have anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential. Thus,
considering its phytochemical profile and its beneficial effects, derivatives of the leaves of the species can potentially be used in the development of pharmaceutical products. However, considerable gaps still need to be filled, such as those related to the standardization of the extractive method and with regard to the drug:derivative ratio obtained. Furthermore, there is a need for more robust clinical trials to establish safe doses and the effectiveness of P. guajava as an anti-inflammatory agent.