A Review on Guava Leaves to Healing Spray: Nature’s Remedy for Mouth Ulcer’s

Abstract

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a tropical plant long recognized in traditional medicine for its healing properties. Today, it is gaining renewed interest for its wide-ranging therapeutic potential. The plant’s leaves, fruits, bark, and roots contain a rich mix of bioactive compounds—including quercetin, tannins, carotenoids, and triterpenoids—that contribute to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. Used across cultures to treat digestive issues, infections, and metabolic disorders, guava offers a safe, nutrient-rich, and naturally cultivated option for health support. This review highlights the plant’s chemical profile, medicinal uses, and biological mechanisms, underscoring its value as a natural remedy in modern integrative healthcare.

Keywords

Introduction

Psidium guajava L., commonly known as guava, is a tropical evergreen shrub or small tree belonging to the Myrtaceae family. Native to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, it is widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions. The plant is easily pollinated by insects, particularly the honey bee (Apis mellifera), and has long been recognized for its nutritional and medicinal value. In traditional medicine systems, guava leaves are used to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroenteritis, while the fruit is known to support platelet recovery in dengue patients.

Fig.1

Fig.2

Guava is rich in bioactive compounds, including flavonoids (especially quercetin), tannins, triterpenoids, carotenoids, and essential oils. Quercetin, a prominent flavonoid in guava leaves, has demonstrated antibacterial, anti-diarrheal, and antiproliferative properties. In vitro studies have shown that guava leaf extracts exhibit significant cytotoxic activity against leukemia cells, outperforming standard chemotherapeutic agents like vincristine. Additionally, guava extracts have shown efficacy against microbial strains and rotavirus, further supporting their therapeutic potential.

The pharmacological effects of guava are largely attributed to its polyphenolic compounds, such as protocatechuic, ferulic, gallic, ascorbic, and caffeic acids. These secondary metabolites contribute to antioxidant activity and may act as immunostimulants. Nutritionally, guava is a powerhouse of dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, folic acid, and essential minerals like potassium, copper, and manganese. Remarkably, a single guava fruit contains up to four times more vitamin C than an orange.

Given the rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders, there is an urgent need for safe, plant-based alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals. Morden pharmacology studies have supported the ethanomedicinal use of guave leaves and have highlighted their potential as a source of novel bioactive agents. Guava, with its broad spectrum of therapeutic compounds and minimal toxicity, presents a promising candidate for integrative medicine. This review aims to consolidate current knowledge on the phytochemical composition and pharmacological activities of P. guajava, emphasizing its role in modern health management.

Botanical Description of Psidium guajava L.:

Attribute	Details
Scientific Name	Psidium guajava L.
Common Names	Guava, Lemon Guava, Yellow Guava, Goiaba (Portuguese), Guayaba (Spanish), Mpera (Kiswahili), Mubera (Kikuyu), Mupeera (Luganda)
Synonyms	Psidium cujavillus Burm, Psidium pomiferum L., Psidium pumilum Vahl, Psidium pyriferum Linn.
Family	Myrtaceae
Kingdom	Plantae
Clade	Angiosperms → Eudicots → Rosids
Order	Myrtales
Genus	Psidium
Species	Psidium guajava
Native Region	Caribbean, Central America, South America
Pollination	Mainly by insects, especially Apis mellifera (common honey bee)
Growth Habit	Evergreen shrub or small tree
Cultivation Zones	Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide

 

 

 

Fig.1

Pharmacological Activities of Psidium guajava L.:

Psidium guajava exhibits a wide range of pharmacological effects due to its rich phytochemical profile. Various parts of the plant—especially the leaves, fruits, bark, and seeds—have been studied for their therapeutic potential in both traditional and modern medicine.

1. Respiratory Infections:

1. Traditional Use: Used for cough, sore throat, and tuberculosis in regions like Mexico, India, Nigeria, and Tanzania.
2. Laboratory Findings: Guava leaf extract reduced cough frequency by up to 54% in guinea pigs. Effective against pathogens like S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, and Cryptococcus neoformans.

(Fig.1)

2. Skin Disorders and Wound Healing:

(Fig.2)

1. Traditional Use: Used for scabies, skin tonics, and wound care.
2. Bioactivity: Organic extracts showed antibacterial effects against E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa. Cream formulations reduced atopic dermatitis in mice.

3. Cardiovascular and Antihypertensive Effects:

1. Key Compounds: Arjunolic acid, potassium
2. Effects: Reduces blood pressure and heart rate. Potassium relaxes blood vessels.
3. Traditional Use: Used in Cuba, Nigeria, and Togo for hypertension.

4. Antidiabetic Activity:

1. Mechanism: Inhibits glycosidase activity and intestinal glucose absorption.
2. Use: Guava leaves consumed on an empty stomach in China; peeled fruits lower blood sugar.
3. Evidence: Reduced fasting glucose and improved antioxidant enzyme levels in diabetic mice.

5. Antioxidant Activity:

1. Key Compounds: Quercetin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid
2. Mechanism: Scavenges free radicals, inhibits lipid peroxidation, prevents oxidative stress.
3. Assays: DPPH and FRAP confirm high antioxidant capacity in leaf and fruit extracts.

6. Anticancer and Antiproliferative Effects:

1. Compounds: Jacomari acid (seeds), essential oils (leaves)
2. Effects: Inhibits growth of DU-145 prostate cancer cells, oral carcinoma, and leukemia.
3. Use: Leaf extracts show chemotherapeutic potential in vitro.

7. Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects:

1. Use: Decoctions used for rheumatism and kidney inflammation.
2. Mechanism: Inhibits inflammatory mediators and reduces tissue damage.

8. Antimicrobial Activity

1. Extracts: Aqueous, methanol, chloroform
2. Targets: S. aureus, Bacillus, Salmonella, Streptococcus pyogenes
3. Use: Effective against dental plaque, skin infections, and respiratory pathogens

Mechanisms of Action:

Mechanism of Action: Anti-Oral Ulcer Activity of Psidium guajava

2. Extraction of Psidium guajava Leaves

1. Fresh guava leaves were washed, shade-dried, and pulverized.
2. The powdered material was subjected to soxhlet extraction  using 95% ethanol for 72 hours.
3. The soxhlet extraction was set to obtain the ethanolic extract of psidium gujava leaves. A reflux condenser was attached to extracter,with cold water inlet attached to lower end and outlet attached above end.
4. The solvent was heated to reflux and extract,till the extract are produce
5. The extract was filtered and concentrated using a rotary evaporator at 40–45°C.
6. The dried extract was stored in an amber container at 4°C until use.

3. Formulation of Oral Ulcer Spray

1. The concentrated guava extract was dissolved in a mixture of ethanol and propylene glycol.
2. Glycerin and Tween 80 were added to improve viscosity and solubility.
3. Sodium benzoate was incorporated as a preservative.
4. Citric acid was used to adjust the pH to 6.8–7.0, suitable for oral mucosa.
5. The final volume was make up with distilled water, and flavouring agent was added.
6. The solution was filtered through a 0.45 µm membrane and filled into sterile spray bottles.

4. Evaluation Parameters

1. pH: calculated using a calibrated digital pH meter. between(6.0-7.5)
2. Viscosity: It is measured by using Brookfield viscometer.(50rpm)
3. Spray pattern and droplet size:  It is Evaluated using a spray analyzer.
4. Stability studies: Stability are Conducted at 25°C and 40°Cover 30 days.
5. Microbial limit test: Ensured absence of pathogenic contamination.
6. Density and refractive index: Important for characterizing the solution’s physical properties
7. Entrapment efficiency: It  measures how effectively the active drug is contained
8. Net content: The total volume or weight of the product in the container,confirmed by measured before and after filling

Toxicity and Safety Profile:

Despite its widespread use, scientific evaluation of P. guajava’s safety is essential for therapeutic standardization.

Acute Toxicity

1. Leaf extracts up to 5 g/kg showed no mortality or behavioral changes in animal models.
2. No signs of organ damage or neurotoxicity observed in short-term studies.

Chronic Toxicity

1. Long-term administration of guava extracts did not produce significant histopathological changes.
2. Liver and kidney function markers remained within normal ranges in rodent studies.

Safe Dosage Ranges

1. Oral Leaf Extracts: 50–400 mg/kg effective in animal models without toxicity.
2. Fruit Consumption: Safe as a dietary component; high vitamin C content supports immune health.

Future Scope:

1. The future scope of Psidium guajava-based oral ulcer spray lies in its potential to evolve from a traditional remedy into a scientifically validated, commercially viable therapeutic product.
2. Advancements in phytochemical standardization could ensure consistent efficacy by quantifying key bioactives like quercetin and tannins.
3. Integration into modern drug delivery systems—such as nanoemulsions, mucoadhesive sprays, or bioadhesive films—may enhance mucosal retention and targeted action.
4. Rigorous clinical trials are essential to establish its comparative effectiveness against conventional treatments like corticosteroids, while long-term safety profiling would support broader use across age groups.
5. Additionally, combining guava extract with other synergistic botanicals could yield multi-targeted formulations for various ulcer types.
6. From a regulatory and industrial perspective, developing GMP-compliant manufacturing protocols and conducting ICH-guided stability studies would pave the way for large-scale production.
7. Ultimately, guava-based sprays could be positioned not only as curative agents but also as preventive oral care solutions, especially for individuals prone to recurrent mucosal lesions.

CONCLUSION:

Psidium guajava L. stands out as a versatile medicinal plant with broad-spectrum therapeutic potential. Its leaves, fruits, bark, and seeds are rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids (quercetin, quercitrin), tannins, terpenoids, polyphenols, and essential fatty acids like linoleic and palmitoleic acid. These constituents contribute to a wide array of pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, and antioxidant effects.

Traditional use of guava in managing conditions such as diabetes, skin disorders, hypertension, and respiratory infections has been supported by modern pharmacological studies. The plant’s safety profile, nutritional richness, and accessibility make it a promising candidate for developing affordable, plant-based therapies and functional foods.

Despite its proven efficacy in preclinical models, further research is essential to validate its pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and clinical utility. Standardization of extracts, dosage formulations, and controlled human trials will be critical to fully harness the therapeutic potential of P. guajava in modern medicine.

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