A Review on Multipurpose Plant: Psidium Guajava
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Available online on www.ijppr.com International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research 2014; 6(1); 118-121 ISSN: 0975-4873 Review Article A Review on Multipurpose Plant: Psidium Guajava *Neeta Chaudhary, Shalini Tripathi Rameshwaram Institute of Technology and Management, Sitapur Road, Lucknow (U.P.) Available online: 1st March 2014 ABSTRACT Psidium guajava Linn. (Guava) is used not only as food but also as folk medicine in subtropical areas around the world because of its pharmacologic activities. In particular, the leaf extract of guava has traditionally been used for the treatment of diabetes in East Asia and other countries. Many pharmacological studies have demonstrated the ability of this plant to exhibit antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-allergy, antimicrobial, antigenotoxic, antiplasmodial, cytotoxic, antispasmodic, cardioactive, anticough, antidiabetic, antiinflamatory and antinociceptive activities, supporting its traditional uses. Suggesting a wide range of clinical applications for the treatment of infantile rotaviral enteritis, diarrhoea and diabetes. Key words: Myrtaceae, phytochemical, physicochemical, Psidium guajava. INTRODUCTION but has become increasingly more in recent years as Herbal Medicine: Herbal medicine, or phytotherapy, is scientific evidence about the effectiveness of herbal the science of using herbal remedies to treat the sick. It medicine has become more widely available [2]. therefore covers everything from medicinal plants with Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea is a symptom of various illnesses and powerful actions, such as Digitalis and Belladonna, to bowel disturbances during which someone passes more those with very gentle action, such as chamomile, mint and frequent, loose, watery stools [3]. many others. It should be noted that ‘very gentle’ action, Diarrhoea results from hyper peristalsis of the small when referring to chamomile or mint, does not mean they intestine or colon. Large amounts of Na+ and K+ and water are more or less ineffective, but rather that one would not are washed out of the colon and small intestine in expect these plants to produce instant and powerful effects diarrhoeal stools, causing dehydration, hypovolaemia and like those seen, for instance, after an injection of digitalis eventually shock and cardiovascular collapse. The or strophanthin. ‘Gentle’ action also means that these condition of diarrhoea is particularly dangerous in infants ‘simple’ medicinal plants do not as a rule have any and young children because of the rapidity with which appreciable toxic effects, and may therefore be safely serious dehydration may occur [4]. taken over an extended period of time [1]. Causes: Many different problems can cause diarrhoea. The use of plants as medicines predates written human Here are the major causes: history. Ethno botany (the study of traditional human uses In recent years, emphasis on the treatment of diarrhoea of plants) is recognised as an effective way to discover has focused on oral dehydration therapy. However, future medicines. In 2001, researchers identified 122 there is still need for a continuing search for effective compounds used in modern medicine which were derived antidiarrheal drugs without side effects. A virus, such from “ethno medical” plant sources, 80% of these have had as rotavirus, winter vomiting disease (Norwalk virus an ethno medical use identical or related to the current use ornorovirus), enterovirus, or a hepatitis virus. of the active elements of the plant. Many of the A bacterium, such as E. coli, salmonella, shigella, pharmaceuticals currently available to physicians have a C.diff (clostridium), or cholera (Vibrio cholerae). long history of use as herbal remedies, including aspirin, A parasite, such as those that cause giardiasis and digitalis, quinine and opium. amoebiasis [5] . The use of herbs to treat disease is almost universal among Symptoms non-industrialized societies, and is often more affordable Increased frequency of bowel movements. than purchasing expensive modern pharmaceuticals. The Loose, watery stools. World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 80% of Urgency (having to go right away). the population of some Asian and African countries Incontinence (leakage of stools). presently uses herbal medicine for some aspect of primary Bloating, wind. health care. Studies in the United States and Europe have Rectal pain. shown that their use is less common in clinical setting Lower abdominal pain or cramping. *Author for correspondence: Email- [email protected] Neeta Chaudhary, Shalini Tripathi / A Review on… Nausea, vomiting. Class:Magnoliopsida Fever. Subclass:Rosidae Blood or flecks of mucus in the stool Order: Myrtales Loss of appetite, weight loss Family:Myrtaceae Prevention: Although some types of diarrhoea, such as Subfamily: Myrtoide those due to other medical conditions, are unavoidable, Tribe: Myrteae infectious diarrhoea can be prevented. The most important Genus:Psidium way to avoid diarrhoea is to avoid coming into contact with Species: guajava [8] infectious agents that can cause it. This means that good Common vernacular names : Common guava, yellow hand washing and hygiene are very important. Also, during guava, apple guava, Sans: Perala; Amaratafalam; Amruta- travel to developing countries, we should take the phalam. Hind: Lal sufrium (red); Amrut.. Ben: Lal peyara; following precautions: Goya-pandu. Tam:Koyapalam; Koyya. Mal: Palamper. Drink only bottled water, even for brushing teeth. Mah: Peru; Jamba. Guj: Jamrukh. Assam: Madhuria. Avoid eating food from street vendors. Nepal: Amuk. Arab & pers: Amrud.. Punj: Amrut. Avoid ice made with tap water. Morphology: It’s a low evergreen tree or shrub 6 to 25 feet high, with wide spreading branches and square, downy Eat only fruit and vegetables that are cooked or can be peeled. twigs, is a native of tropical America. It’s a common vegetation cover by roads and in waste places in Hawaii. Be sure that all foods are thoroughly cooked and Guava is a tropical and semitropical plant. It is well known served steaming hot. in the islands for its edible fruit. It is common in the Never eat raw or undercooked meat or sea food. backyards. The branches are crooked, bringing opposite Obtain hepatitis A vaccination prior to travel, if [5] leaves. The flowers are white, incurved petals, 2 or 3 in the advised, for that region . leaf axils; they are fragrant, with four to six petals and Treatment: The most important aspect of treating diarrhoea yellow anthers. The fruit is small, 3 to 6 cm long, pear- involves avoiding dehydration. Because plain water does shaped, reddish-yellow when ripe [9]. not contain sugar, sodium, or potassium, which is also lost Chemical constituent in diarrhoea, it is important to consume plenty of fluids that The fruit also contain vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, contain these substances. calcium and phosphorus. Manganese is also present in Examples of appropriate drinks include diluted fruit juices, the plant in combination with phosphoric, oxalic and prepared rehydration solutions, and chicken and beef soup. malic acids. The fruit contains saponin combined with Water should also be consumed. In vomiting, try taking oleanolic acid and guaijavarin and quercetin[10]. tiny amounts of liquid every 15 minutes. Children are often The leaves contain essential oil with main components put simple diet of bananas, rice, pureed fruit and toast. being alfa-pinene, beta-pinene, limonene, menthol, Fats, sweets, coffee, and milk products should be avoided. terpenyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, caryophyllene The anti-diarrhoeal medicines can be useful to relieve oxide, curcumene, crategolic and guayavolic acids [11]. symptoms and reduce discomfort, but should not be used The bark contains 12-30% of tannin and one source where there is blood in the stools or a high temperature. says it contains tannin 27.4%, or polyphenols, resin Pharmacists can advise on suitable products, but these and crystals of calcium oxalate [10]. medicines should not be given to children. In severe diarrhoea due to infectious bacteria, doctor may The roots are also rich in tannin. The plants also advise taking antibiotics to help resolve the symptoms. contain leukocyanidins, sterols and salts. Root, stem- However, antibiotics won't help with viral diarrhoea, bark and leaves contain a large percentage of tannic acid. There are a high percentage of carbohydrates and which is the most common type of infectious diarrhoea. [12] Plant Profile salts . Description of Psidium guajava: Psidium guajava the Traditional uses & Literature Review common guava tree is widely distributed as a native plant Stem, bark and root-bark are astringent. Unripe fruit in America from Mexico to Brazil. The leaves have been is indigestible, causes vomiting and fever. Bark is used in folk medicine for many years to treat diarrhoea, astringent, febrifuge, antiseptic. Fruit is laxative, stomach ache and hepatic problems. Psidium guajava is a leaves are astringent. Indians also employ it for sore [10] medium- sized tree, reaching a height of 8m. The bark, throats, vomiting, stomach upsets and for vertigo leaves, fruit and root have also been evaluated Antibacterial activity against E.coli, Salmonella pharmacologically for the treatment of gastrointestinal typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis and [12] diseases. This plant possesses antimicrobial, Shigella dysenteria . antimutagenic and hypoglycaemic properties. Leaves shows significant anti-inflammatory activity Worldwide,