Impact of Psidium guajava bark extract on inflammatory biomarkers in Wistar rat models of inflammation

Inflammation is a critical response of the immune system to assault by either injury or infection. When the infection becomes chronic, it culminates to many diseases, like cardiovascular disorders, arthritis and autoimmune conditions. Conventional anti-inflammatory drugs, often cause side effects when used for long. Psidium guajava L. is often used in folklore medicine to treat inflammatory disorders due to its rich phytochemical composition. The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of P. guajava bark in inflamed rat models. Ethanol extracts of P. guajava bark were prepared and analyzed for phytochemical constituents. The animal models were grouped into six and induced with inflammation using carrageenan. Treated groups received varying doses of the extract for 14 days, while control groups received either standard anti-inflammatory drugs or no treatment. Inflammatory responses were assessed through paw oedema measurement, pro-inflammatory cytokine like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) analysis, cyclooxygenase-2 activity (Cox-2), antioxidant enzyme activity like superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), white blood cell count, protease inhibition, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Molecular docking was performed to evaluate the binding affinity of bioactive compounds with inflammatory target proteins. The phytochemical screening revealed high concentrations of flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, and alkaloids. The treatment groups showed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in paw oedema size, TNF-α, IL-6 and Cox-2 levels compared to the untreated group. The extract also normalized antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced oxidative stress. Additionally, protease inhibition and CRP levels were significantly lower in treated rats. Molecular docking studies confirmed strong interactions between P. guajava bark bioactive compounds and inflammatory markers. The findings suggest that P. guajava bark possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties, potentially making it a viable alternative to synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs.