Abstract

PSIDIUM GUAJAVA: A BRIEF REVIEW

Kavyanjali K. V.*, Karunakar Hegde and Shabaraya A. R.

ABSTRACT

The rural population in India experiences a number of health problems and often has to depend on local remedies. Use of the plants for medicinal purpose has started years ago and still it is continuing. One of the example is Psidium guajava. Each part of the guava tree possess medicinal value. The fruit is used because of its food, nutritional and medicinal value but the other parts such as leaves, seed, flowers and stem bark also possess certain medicinal properties. The constituent which is responsible for various biological activity has been find out and various experiments are carried out using invitro and invivo models to estimate the biological activity. The main constituents which is responsible for the activities are tannins, vitamins, iron, calcium, flavonoids, quercetin and ascorbic acid. Psidium guajava exhibit antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti anemic, anti-ulcer, anti-hypertensive, hepato and nephro protective activity. As well the aqueous, methanolic and ethanolic extracts of the different parts of the guava also possess certain activities.

Keywords: Psidium guajava, Pharmacological activities.