UPI Journal of Pharmaceutical, Medical and Health Sciences

A detailed review on pharmacognosy, phytochemistry and medicinal properties of guava oil

2025-10-16T05:46:46-04:00

Psidium guajava L., commonly known as guava, is a tropical evergreen plant of the Myrtaceae family, traditionally valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Native to Central America and Mexico, guava has spread across tropical and subtropical regions due to its adaptability and health benefits. Various parts of the plant—including leaves, seeds, bark, and fruit—are rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, and phenolic acids, which contribute to its pharmacological potential. Guava essential oil, primarily extracted from leaves and seeds, exhibits diverse therapeutic activities including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, wound healing, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective effects. Extraction methods such as steam distillation, cold pressing, solvent extraction, and supercritical CO₂ extraction influence oil yield, composition, and quality. Recent advancements in green chemistry approaches—ultrasound-, microwave-, and enzyme-assisted extraction—enhance oil recovery while maintaining ecological sustainability. Phytochemical analyses using GC-MS and HPLC have identified key constituents including β-caryophyllene, limonene, nerolidol, and eucalyptol, responsible for the oils, aroma and biological efficacy. Guava oil finds applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and traditional medicine, supporting digestive health, metabolic balance, skin regeneration, and management of chronic diseases. The rich ethnomedicinal history combined with modern scientific validation underscores guava oil as a multifunctional natural product with considerable therapeutic and industrial significance.

Keywords: Psidium guajava, guava oil, essential oil, phytochemicals, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, green extraction.

A review on prevalence of angina pectoris in association with ccf (congestive cardiac failure) in gender and age-based population

2025-10-23T22:29:56-04:00

Angina pectoris, one of the most characteristic symptoms of ischemic heart disease (IHD), remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is typically presented as retrosternal chest pain, often radiating to the jaw, arms, or shoulders, and may be triggered by exertion, stress, or occur at rest in severe cases. The underlying mechanism involves an imbalance between myocardial oxygen demand and supply, primarily due to atherosclerotic obstruction, endothelial dysfunction, or coronary vasospasm. Over time, persistent ischemia and repeated episodes of angina may contribute to the development or worsening of congestive cardiac failure (CCF). CCF, defined as the inability of the heart to maintain adequate circulation, further complicates the clinical course of patients with angina, resulting in reduced quality of life and increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. The present study emphasizes the prevalence of angina pectoris in association with CCF across different genders and age groups. Epidemiological data suggest that prevalence increases with advancing age, with men predominantly affected at younger ages, whereas women experience a higher burden after menopause. Risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and smoking further accelerate disease progression. Management involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and secondary prevention strategies. Beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitrates, and novel anti-anginal agents remain the cornerstone of therapy, while risk factor modification plays a pivotal role in preventing disease progression. This study highlights the need for early diagnosis, gender- and age-specific risk stratification, and effective therapeutic interventions to reduce the burden of angina and its progression to heart failure. Ultimately, a better understanding of this association may improve patient outcomes and reduce cardiovascular mortality.

Pharmacological evaluation of the ethanolic extract of alpinia calcarata rhizomes for anti-asthmatic activity

2025-10-22T02:52:02-04:00

The present study investigates the anti-asthmatic activity of the ethanolic extract of Alpinia calcarata rhizomes (EEAC) using histamine aerosol-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs and milk-induced leukocytosis and eosinophilia in mice. The rhizomes were collected, authenticated, shade-dried, powdered, and extracted using ethanol through Soxhlet extraction, yielding 17% w/w extract. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, phenols, steroids, proteins, carbohydrates, and cardiac glycosides. Acute toxicity studies, conducted as per OECD guidelines 423, showed no mortality up to 2000 mg/kg, indicating the extract’s safety. In vivo studies demonstrated significant protection against histamine-induced bronchospasm, with maximum protection (62.62%) observed at 200 mg/kg, comparable to the standard drug chlorpheniramine maleate. The extract also significantly reduced milk-induced leukocytosis and eosinophilia, indicating anti-inflammatory potential. The anti-asthmatic effects may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids and steroids, known for their bronchodilatory and antioxidant properties. The results validate the traditional use of Alpinia calcarata in asthma management and suggest further studies to isolate and characterize the bioactive compounds responsible for these effects.