Antimicrobial Effects of Psidium Guajava in Diarrhoeal Action
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Antimicrobial Effects of Psidium Guajava Extract as One Mechanism of its Antidiarrhoeal Action
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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G.D. Lutterodt, A. Ismail, R.H. Basheer, H. Mohd. Baharudin
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Antimicrobial Effects of Psidium Guajava Extract as One Mechanism of its Antidiarrhoeal Action
Year: 1999
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Diarrhoeal diseases continue to pose a significant health challenge, particularly in rural populations of developing countries, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in children under five. In traditional medicine, herbal preparations, such as those derived from the leaves of Psidium guajava (guava), have been utilized for treating diarrhoea. Previous studies indicated that polar fractions of guava leaf extracts exert antidiarrhoeal effects through mechanisms such as neuronal spasmolytic action, inhibition of electrolyte secretion, and alteration of water transport in the intestine. Given the plant’s historical use, this study aimed to explore whether Psidium guajava also possesses direct antimicrobial effects against common bacteria responsible for toxin-induced acute diarrhoea.
Antimicrobial Efficacy of Psidium Guajava Extract
The study conducted various tests to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of a water-soluble, freeze-dried methanolic extract from guava leaves against ten different diarrhoea-causing bacteria, which included multiple strains of Salmonella, Shigella, and Vibrio cholerae. The results revealed that the extract inhibited the growth of all tested organisms at an MIC of 10 mg/ml, with Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, and Shigella flexneri being particularly sensitive, showing an MIC of only 1 mg/ml. The findings suggest that the antimicrobial activity of Psidium guajava may contribute significantly to its antidiarrhoeal effects by inhibiting the growth of bacteria that commonly cause gastroenteritis, thereby preventing the release of harmful toxins and alleviating diarrhoea.
Conclusion
The multifaceted nature of Psidium guajava's action, highlighting both its spasmolytic and antimicrobial properties, demonstrates its potential as a beneficial therapeutic agent in managing acute diarrhoea. Its effectiveness against a range of pathogenic bacteria, particularly those responsible for enteric infections, provides a scientific rationale for its traditional use in medicinal applications. As awareness and research into such herbal remedies expand, Psidium guajava presents a promising alternative, especially for populations with limited access to conventional healthcare. Further exploration into its pharmacological properties may enhance understanding and utilization of this natural remedy in clinical settings.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the antidiarrhoeal action of Psidium guajava leaf extracts?
The antidiarrhoeal action is attributed to its morphine-like spasmolytic effect, inhibition of acetylcholine release, and effects on electrolyte transport. Additionally, it exhibits direct antimicrobial activity against bacteria causing toxin-induced diarrhoea.
How was the antimicrobial activity of the extract tested?
The antimicrobial activity was assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of a freeze-dried methanolic extract against ten common diarrhoea-causing bacteria using serial dilutions in nutrient agar plates.
Which bacteria were found to be most susceptible to the extract?
Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, and Shigella flexneri showed the highest sensitivity with a MIC of 1 mg/ml, indicating strong antimicrobial properties of the Psidium guajava extract against these organisms.
What are the implications of these findings for diarrhoea treatment?
The antimicrobial effects combined with the ability to regulate electrolytes suggest that Psidium guajava leaf extracts could potentially lower morbidity and mortality from diarrhoea, particularly in areas lacking hospital facilities.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Antimicrobial Effects of Psidium Guajava in Diarrhoeal Action”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Water:
Water is a critical component involved in the studies of gastrointestinal transport and diarrhoeal diseases. In the context of this research on Psidium guajava leaf extracts, water is essential both as a solvent for the extraction process and as a key element influencing absorption, secretion, and overall gut function in diarrhoea treatment.
2) Aureus:
Aureus refers to Staphylococcus aureus, a commonly studied bacterium and a major causative agent of food poisoning. This study highlights its susceptibility to the antimicrobial effects of Psidium guajava extract, indicating that the extract may help manage infections associated with this pathogen, enhancing its relevance in medicinal applications.
3) Disease:
The study is focused on diarrhoeal diseases, which are significant health issues globally leading to high morbidity and mortality, particularly in children. Understanding the modes of action of natural products like Psidium guajava for treating these diseases underscores the importance of exploring alternative medicinal sources in addressing major health challenges.
4) Study (Studying):
The study aims to assess the antimicrobial effects of Psidium guajava extracts on bacteria causing toxin-induced acute diarrhoea. Its findings could broaden the understanding of this plant's therapeutic properties beyond traditional uses, potentially leading to new applications in the treatment of infectious diseases prevalent in developing regions.
5) Food:
In the context of this research, food is related to food poisoning, as certain bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium are known to contaminate food and cause gastrointestinal illnesses. The study emphasizes identifying plant-based treatments that could inhibit these pathogens, promoting food safety and public health.
6) Pharmacology:
Pharmacology is the branch of science that investigates the effects of drugs and natural compounds on biological systems. This study enhances pharmacological knowledge by exploring the potential therapeutic benefits of Psidium guajava leaf extracts, contributing to the development of new antidiarrhoeal agents derived from traditional medicine.
7) Flavonoid:
Flavonoids are bioactive compounds found in many plants, including Psidium guajava, with known antimicrobial properties. The research links the observed inhibitory effects on diarrhoea-causing bacteria to the presence of extractable flavonoids, highlighting their importance in the pharmacological activity of the plant and its potential use in herbal medicine.
8) Medicine:
Medicine encompasses the science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases. The study of Psidium guajava extracts contributes to the field of herbal medicine, providing scientific evidence for traditional remedies used to treat diarrhoea, thus bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern medical applications.
9) Activity:
Activity refers to the biological effects produced by the extracts from Psidium guajava. This study documents the anti-diarrhoeal and antimicrobial activity of the plant, demonstrating its efficacy in inhibiting bacterial growth that causes diarrhoea, thus underscoring its potential therapeutic benefits for treating gastrointestinal conditions.
10) Science (Scientific):
Scientific refers to the rigorous approaches used to validate traditional remedies. This study employs scientific methods to explore the antimicrobial and antidiarrhoeal effects of Psidium guajava, encouraging the integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific research to enhance public health outcomes.
11) Fever:
Fever often arises as a symptom of infections such as typhoid caused by Salmonella species. The inclusion of these pathogens in the study indicates the extract's potential use not only in treating diarrhoea but also in managing other complications associated with febrile illnesses prevalent in specific populations.
12) Death:
In the context of diarrhoeal diseases, particularly in children, death due to dehydration is a critical concern. This study highlights the relevance of Psidium guajava as a potential treatment to combat the effects of severe diarrhoea, aiming to reduce morbidity and mortality in vulnerable populations.
13) Drug:
Drugs are substances used for medical treatment. The research on Psidium guajava focuses on its extracts as a natural drug, emphasizing its potential development as a therapeutic agent for treating diarrheal diseases, hence promoting its use in the search for effective, alternative treatments.
14) Developing:
Developing refers to low-income countries where diarrhoeal diseases remain a leading cause of mortality, especially among young children. This study's focus on the efficacy of Psidium guajava in these regions aims to provide accessible and affordable treatment options for communities suffering from gastrointestinal illnesses.
15) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
Antibiotic refers to substances that inhibit bacterial growth. The study suggests that Psidium guajava possesses antibiotic properties effective against common diarrhoea-causing bacteria, reinforcing the plant's potential role as a natural alternative in combating infections and reducing dependence on conventional antibiotics.
16) Knowledge:
Knowledge in this study refers to the understanding gained about the medicinal properties of Psidium guajava. The research enhances knowledge concerning natural remedies and their efficacy in treating diarrhoea, supporting the preservation and utilization of traditional medicinal practices in contemporary health strategies.
17) Company:
Company relates to the context of academic collaboration and support, such as in funding and technical assistance for this study. It reflects the necessity of cooperative efforts in scientific research to explore and validate the medicinal properties of natural substances like Psidium guajava.
18) Purity:
Purity indicates the quality and integrity of the microbial cultures used in the study. Ensuring the purity of bacterial strains is critical for accurate testing of the antimicrobial effects of Psidium guajava extract, ensuring the reliability of results and conclusions drawn from the experimental findings.
19) Powder:
Powder refers to the form in which Psidium guajava leaves were processed. The leaf material was ground into a coarse powder before extraction, facilitating the release of bioactive compounds into the solvent, thus playing a vital role in the subsequent assessment of the extract's pharmaceutical properties.
20) Campu (Campū, Cāmpu):
Campu likely refers to the location of the research, emphasizing the significance of local flora in traditional medicine. The Universiti Sains Malaysia campus, where the Psidium guajava leaves were sourced, highlights the importance of local resources in researching medicinal plants endemic to specific regions.
21) Blood:
Blood refers to blood agar plates on which the microorganisms were grown. This medium supports the cultivation of various bacteria, ensuring their viability for testing the antimicrobial effects of the Psidium guajava extract, ultimately contributing to understanding its potential therapeutic applications.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Antimicrobial Effects of Psidium Guajava in Diarrhoeal Action’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Psidium guajava, Flavonoid, Acute diarrhoea, Natural product, Traditional medicine, Food poisoning, Antimicrobial activity, Intestinal motility, Zone of inhibition, Minimum inhibitory concentration, Pathophysiology, Clinical application, Antimicrobial effect, Antimicrobial action, Staphylococcus aureus, Ethnopharmacology, Locomotor activity, Water-soluble, Methanolic extract, Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), Shigella dysenteriae, Typhoid fever, Growth inhibition, Salmonella Typhi, Dehydration, Flavonoids presence, Gastroenteritis, S. aureus, Enteric fever, Shigella sonnei, Guinea pig ileum, Salmonella paratyphi, Nutrient agar plate, Analgesic efficacy, Acute diarrhoeal disease, MIC, Antibiotic activities, Shigella flexneri, Vibrio cholerae, Antidiarrhoeal action, Bacterial growth inhibition, Electrolyte secretion, Electrolyte absorption, Food poisoning organisms, Psidium guajava extract, Medicinal and poisonous plants, Diarrhoeal disease.