Guava Leaves Compounds Studied for Potential Blood Clotting Inhibition

Greg Howard
15th August, 2024

Guava Leaves Compounds Studied for Potential Blood Clotting Inhibition

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from the Technological University of the Philippines studied bioactive compounds from guava leaves to manage blood clotting disorders
  • They identified 28 compounds using computer simulations, with seven showing potential for drug development
  • These compounds effectively bind to and inhibit CFIXa, a key factor in blood clotting, suggesting a new way to prevent abnormal clots
Thrombotic disorders, which involve the formation of blood clots within blood vessels, represent a significant global health challenge. These conditions can lead to serious complications such as stroke and heart attack, necessitating effective management strategies. A recent study conducted by the Technological University of the Philippines explores the potential of bioactive compounds derived from guava leaves to inhibit coagulation factor IXa (CFIXa), a key player in the blood clotting process[1]. The study utilized in silico methods, which involve computer-simulated experiments, to investigate the interactions between bioactive compounds from guava leaves and CFIXa. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), researchers identified 28 bioactive compounds from guava leaves, primarily terpenoids. Out of these, seven compounds exhibited suitable pharmacokinetic properties for oral ingestion and potential drug development. Pharmacokinetic properties refer to how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the body, which are crucial factors for its efficacy and safety. Molecular docking, a method that predicts the preferred orientation of one molecule to a second when bound to each other to form a stable complex, was performed using AutoDock Vina. This analysis revealed that the selected compounds had favorable binding affinities to CFIXa, with docking scores ranging from -7.6 to -5.3. A lower docking score indicates a stronger binding affinity, suggesting that these compounds could effectively inhibit CFIXa. The study's findings are significant as they provide a potential new avenue for managing thrombotic disorders. By inhibiting CFIXa, these bioactive compounds from guava leaves could help regulate the coagulation process and prevent abnormal blood clot formation. This is particularly important because current anticoagulant drugs targeting other coagulation factors, such as Factor Xa (FXa), often carry a risk of bleeding complications[2]. Targeting CFIXa could offer a more selective approach, potentially reducing these risks. Previous studies have highlighted the health benefits of guava leaves, which are rich in phytochemicals like quercetin, gallic acid, and catechin[3][4][5]. These compounds have been shown to possess various biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. The current study builds on this knowledge by demonstrating the potential of guava leaf extracts in managing thrombotic disorders through the inhibition of CFIXa. The research also underscores the importance of further studies to validate these findings. While in silico methods provide valuable insights, experimental validation through in vitro (test tube) and in vivo (living organism) studies is essential to confirm the efficacy and safety of these compounds in real-world scenarios. Additionally, clinical trials would be necessary to establish their potential as therapeutic agents for thrombotic disorder management. In conclusion, the study conducted by the Technological University of the Philippines provides promising evidence that bioactive compounds from guava leaves could serve as effective inhibitors of CFIXa, offering a novel approach to managing thrombotic disorders. This research not only bridges the gap in understanding the hemostatic effects of guava leaves but also opens up new possibilities for developing safer and more selective anticoagulant therapies.

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References

Main Study

1) Docking-based computational analysis of guava (Psidium guajava) leaves derived bioactive compounds as a coagulation factor IXa inhibitor.

Published 12th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ra04709e

Related Studies

2) A Structure Based Study of Selective Inhibition of Factor IXa over Factor Xa.

https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26175372

3) Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Leaf Extract as Bioactive Substances for Anti-Androgen and Antioxidant Activities.

https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11243514

4) Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Leaves: Nutritional Composition, Phytochemical Profile, and Health-Promoting Bioactivities.

https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10040752

5) Psidium guajava L. An Incalculable but Underexplored Food Crop: Its Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology, and Industrial Applications.

https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27207016


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