COMPARATIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA L. AND TERMINALIA ARJUNA ROXB. WHICH ARE USED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTENSION

Background: Hypertension, frequently referred to as high blood pressure, stands as a significant global health concern affecting millions. Characterized by the persistent elevation of blood pressure within the arteries, this often asymptomatic condition can insidiously increase the risk of severe cardiovascular events and other organ damage. Understanding the hypertension, its measurement, causes to its potential consequences and management strategies, is crucial for promoting individual and public health. Herbal drugs are being explored for their anti-hypertensive activity to produce a safe and effective medication for the management of hypertension. Terminalia arjuna Roxb. is most commonly used as a standard drug in Ayurveda for the management of hypertension. One of the herb drugs Psidium guajava L. has similar properties to Terminalia arjuna and can be used as an alternative medicine. Hence, the present study was aimed to compare the similarities in the phytochemicals of both these drugs, which have similar clinical profile. Materials and methods: Phytochemical, HPTLC and TLC analysis of both the drugs are carried out using the standard guidelines mentioned in the API and other standard texts. Results: The results of phytochemical screening showed the presence of Phenols, Tannins, Flavonoids, Proteins, Glycosides, Reducing sugar, Quinones, Saponins, Coumarin in both Psidium guajava L. and Terminlia arjuna Roxb. While Alkaloids and Acids are only present in Terminalia arjuna Roxb. and absent in Psidium guajava L. Conclusion: The study showed there are many similarities between Psidium guajava and Terminalia arjuna with respect to phytochemicals, whereas no similar Rf values noted in the TLC except at 0.98 Rf value under Under White light after Derivatisation, indicating that the antihypertensive phytochemicals of both the drugs are different, but may be having similar efficacy in clinical profile.