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Review Article
WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL
Yedy et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research
AND MEDICAL RESEARCH ISSN 2455-3301
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Psidium guajava L. AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR ANTI-INFLUENZA VIRUS: A REVIEW

Yedy Purwandi Sukmawan1* and Hendy Suhendy2

1
Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Bakti Tunas Husada,
Tasikmalaya. West Java, Indonesia.
2
Department of Pharmacognosy, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Bakti Tunas Husada, Tasikmalaya. West Java,
Indonesia.

*Corresponding Author: Yedy Purwandi Sukmawan

Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Bakti Tunas Husada, Tasikmalaya. West Java, Indonesia.

Article Received on 10/02/2020 Article Revised on 01/03/2020 Article Accepted on 20/03/2020

ABSTRACT
Background: As of March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 pandemic. More than
one hundred countries were affected by this virus with 132.758 confirmed and 4955 death as March 13, 2020. Aim
of the study: Much research was conducted to discover an effective drug. Lopinavir/ritonavir, ribavirin, interferon-
α, chloroquine phosphate, and arbidol have been recommended for the treatment of this virus. However, no
verified anti-viral for the treatment of this COVID-19. Psidium guajava L is one of the valuable of herbal medicine
for the anti-influenza virus. Materials and Methods We conducted a systematic review with a search strategy
involving PubMed and Cochrane. Results: Two article were met the inclusion criteria. This plant showed anti-
influenza virus activity through many mechanisms of action. Conclusion: This broad mechanism of action
involved in anti-influenza virus activity makes this plant a promising novel for this COVID-19 outbreak treatment.

KEYWORDS: Psidium guajava, Tea, Flavonoid, Anti-influenza virus, Covid-19.

INTRODUCTION METHODS
Present days worldwide are shocked by the Severe Acute We conducted a systematic review for Psidium
Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) guajava according to the Preferred Reporting Items for
outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) called Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)
this as Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). The guidelines. The search strategy involving PubMed and
disease first detected from Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Cochrane database using “psidium guajava” and
Province and spread throughout China and to many “influenza virus” as Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
countries.[1] One hundred and four countries were terms. The studies need to fulfill the following inclusion
affected by this COVID-19 with 132.758 confirmed and criteria (1) Psidium guajava as an intervention (2)
4955 death as of March 13, 2020.[2] The clinical Influenza virus infection (3) animal and/or human
symptoms involve fever, chills, cough, fatigue, and involving study.
shortness of breath.[3] This outbreak may continue to
increase and impact more confirmed people for COVID- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
19 infection.
In the results of the systematic review, we found 56,755
articles, but only 2 articles from PubMed that met
Much research to discover effective drugs were
inclusion criteria and will be continued to be reviewed.
conducted all over the world. Lopinavir/ritonavir,
ribavirin, interferon-α, chloroquine phosphate and
The first article is from Sriwilaijaroen et al (2012).[6]
arbidol have been recommended for the treatment of this
showed the tea of Psidium guajava which prepared by 20
virus.[4] Hydroxychloroquine may also be considered,
gram of the dried leaves was steeped in 1 Liter water of
and no vaccine is available.[5] However, no verified
850C for 8 minutes markedly inhibited the growth of
antiviral for this COVID-19 and this treatment may
A/Narita/1/2009 (amantadine-resistant pandemic 2009
change if there’s additional information. Hereby, we
strain), A/Yamaguchi/20/06 (sensitive strain) and
conducted a systematic review of the potency of Psidium
A/Kitakyushu/10/06 (oseltamivir-resistant strain) at an
guajava as an alternative for the anti-influenza virus.
IC50 0.05%, 0,58%, and 0.23%, respectively. This tea
can inhibit viral hemagglutination, and also
neuraminidase activity.[6] It is known, that both of the
hemagglutinin and neuraminidase recognize sialic acid

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Yedy et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research

as a receptor of the virus for binding and release.[7] The AKCNOWLEDGEMENT

inhibition of viral hemagglutination activity indicated
The authors thanks to Tanendri Arrizqiyani as a LPPM
this guava tea can produce effective antibody for the
chief of Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Bakti Tunas
virus and effective inhibition in the early stage of
Husada.
infection, in while neuraminidase inhibitory activity of
this guava tea indicated inhibition of the viral release
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
from the host cell to infected the new host cells.[6,8] Other
results of Sriwilaijaroen (2012) study showed there is We declare no conflict of interest of this study.
another component besides tannin which contributes to
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