The Potential of Guafit Powder Capsules as an ACE-2 Inhibitor

Abstract

—Batu City in Indonesia is an agricultural area with excellent commodities, one of which is red guava fruit, known to have a higher vitamin C than oranges as an antioxidant. Meanwhile, the farmers often encounter abundant crop obstacles; it is usually processed into fruit chips. However, the manufacturing heating process can degrade its nutrients. Packaging of guava powder in capsules can become an answer to process natural products, preserve their nutrition and add more value to the commodity. In addition, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the health supplements product rich in vitamin C and antioxidants are necessitated to help stimulate healing and enhance immunity. Objective: To identify drug candidates from bioactive compounds in guava fruit through virtual screening and test potential inhibitors of ACE-2 activity. Methods: Samples were prepared from several bioactive compounds of guava fruit: ascorbic acid, gallic acid, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid. They were then analyzed using the drug-likeness test, molecular docking, and chemical bond interaction and molecular visualization analysis. Result: Quercetin and chlorogenic acids in guava can trigger ACE-2 inhibition by binding to the active site with weak bond interactions. Conclusion: The bioactive of guava fruit is proven in silico to inhibit the activity of ACE-2.