Psidium guajava L.: A Review on Its Role as Bioactive Compounds in Human Disease Management

Abstract

Plants continue to serve as an important reservoir of various phytochemicals with significant therapeutic value in traditional and modern medicine. Psidium guajava L. (guava), belonging to the family Myrtaceae, is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions and is recognized for its nutritional as well as medicinal value. Different parts of the plant, especially the leaves, contain a rich array of phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, and catechins, which are responsible for its diverse biological activities. Accumulating evidence from experimental and clinical studies indicates that guava exhibits multiple pharmacological effects, including antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, anticancer, and antihypertensive properties. These effects participate in the regulation of glucose metabolism, suppression of oxidative stress, and modulation of inflammatory pathways. This review amalgamates available information on the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical composition, and therapeutic potential of P. guajava in the control of widely prevalent diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and infectious conditions. In addition, it highlights safety considerations, current applications in herbal formulations, and existing limitations in research. The review underscores the potential of guava as a valuable natural source for drug development and emphasizes the necessity for further systematic and well-controlled clinical studies to substantiate its efficacy and safety for broader medicinal use.