A study on Psidium guajava L. (Parevata) and the therapeutic efficacy of its bark on Hypertension.

Hypertension it is a serious medical condition and can increase the risk of Heart, Brain, Kidney and other diseases. It is a major cause of premature death worldwide, with upwards of 1 in 4 men and 1 in 5 women – over a billion people – having the condition. The burden of Hypertension is felt disproportionately in low and middle income countries, where two thirds of cases are found, largely due to increased risk factors like Obesity, Lack of Physical Exercise, Alcohol consumption, Smoking in recent decades. Hence for the present study the Efficacy of Psidium guajava L. bark is being studied in cases of Hypertension in a comparative manner with that of Terminalia arjuna Roxb. Bark, which will be considered as the standard drug. Hypertension is a condition where blood pressure increases and produces the symptoms like Palpitations, Sleeplessness, Headache etc. These symptoms are usually seen when there is a vitiation of Vāta, Pitta, Rakta doṣās as per the Āyurvedic literature.  To treat the condition Āyurveda suggests the use of drugs which are having the properties of Hṛdya and which can reduce the vitiation of Vāta, Pitta, Rakta doṣās.  Pārēvata is one such drug which is mentioned in Rāja nighaṇṭu having Hṛdya karma and also is useful to normalize the Vāta, Pitta, Rakta doṣās by virtue of its Madhura vipāka and Guru guṇa.  Pārēvata is equated to Psidium guajava L. as per the literature. Present scientific researchers also proved that various parts of Psidium guajava L. are being used as a Cardioprotective agents.  Stem bark of Psidium guajava L. contains Leucocyanidin which acts as Cardioprotective. Luteic acids, Ellagic acid, Tannins, Sterols, Glycoside Amritoside, Crystals of Calcium oxalates and Nitric oxide radicals have antioxidant property which reduces oxidative stress and thus decreases the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) which has a key role in pathophysiology of Hypertension and also improve endothelial and vascular function which decreases the severity of blood pressure. Ellagic acid also has Anti-proliferative property which could reduce the Cardio-vascular damage.