The hypoglycemic effects of guava leaf (Psidium guajava L.) extract are associated with improving endothelial dysfunction in mice with diet-induced obesity

•Guava leaves improves the vascular dysfunction in obese mice.•Administration of guava leaf extract has a positive impact on metabolic functions in obese mice.•The beneficial effects ascribed to guava leaf extract in obese mice can be due to its phenolic content.

Obesity is associated with a low-grade inflammatory status that affects vascular function. Previous studies have reported the beneficial effects of Psidium guajava L. (guava) on diabetes. Here we evaluate the how guava leaf extract at the dose of 5 mg/kg, affects vascular dysfunction in obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 7 weeks. Extract intake did not alter weight over time, although it reduced glycemia and insulin resistance, improving the serum lipid profile in obese mice. Additionally, guava leaf extract reversed the endothelial dysfunction found in obese mice in terms of endothelium- and NO (nitric oxide)-dependent vasodilatation induced by acetylcholine in aortic rings. In conclusion, the beneficial effects of guava leaf extract in obese mice were associated with improved vascular functions altered by obesity, probably due to its phenolic content.

Graphical abstractDownload high-res image (194KB)Download full-size image