Pharmacological Potentials of Nigella sativa and Psidium guajava: Impacts on Health Care, Current Challenges and Prospects for Future Research

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial resistance is a significant global health threat, worsened by over-prescription and agricultural use of antimicrobials. The slow pace of new drug development has led to a diminishing treatment pipeline. This study explored pharmacological potentials of Nigella sativa and Psidium guajava with a directed attention to curative effects in treating inflammatory conditions, cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndromes and microbial infections. A systematic search on PubMed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect was done to find relevant researches that were published between 2015 and 2024. Terms such as “pharmacology of guava”, “pharmacological potentials of black cumin”, “challenges in utilization of medicinal plants”, were used in search of literatures. Twenty four (24) full text articles out of 1,057 entries that were examined and found to match the inclusion criteria were included. Results of this study showed that N. sativa and P. guajava were potent plants with a wide range of therapeutic properties, attributed to their rich chemical compositions. N. sativa contains bioactive compounds which contribute to its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antitumor, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective effects. Its active ingredients showed promise in treating neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory disorders and microbial infections. P. guajava exhibits anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antitumor effects, with compounds like flavonoids showing efficacy against multidrug-resistant pathogens. The future of bioactive compounds from these plants is promising, fueled by advancements in genomics and metabolomics. Challenges like sustainability, standardization, and regulatory hurdles need to be addressed to ensure their safe and effective applications. A collaborative, multidisciplinary approach is significant for overcoming these obstacles. Studies needed on extracts standardization, navigating bioavailability issues, and molecular pathways explorations for accessing the therapeutic potency offered by these plants