DIA-GUARD Herbal System: An Innovative Nano-Encapsulated Guava Leaf (Psidium guajava) Extract as a Natural Therapy to Inhibit Bacteria That Cause Diarrhea

Doni Hardani; Dedi Arjuna Saputra; Dewi Azura; Clarifi Cahaya Al Amnora

Authors

Doni Hardani Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram
Dedi Arjuna Saputra Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram
Dewi Azura Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram
Clarifi Cahaya Al Amnora Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram

Keywords:

Innovative, Natural Therapy, Bacteria

Abstract

The high prevalence of diarrhea and increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics have driven the development of alternative therapies based on medicinal plants. Guava leaves (Psidium guajava) are an ethnomedical plant widely used to treat diarrhea because they contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and saponins that possess antibacterial activity. This study aims to analyze the pharmacological potential of guava leaves and to develop an innovative nanoencapsulation-based formulation as a natural therapy to inhibit bacteria causing diarrhea. The study employed an integrative review and library research approach, with literature searches conducted on Google Scholar, Scopus, DOAJ, SciSpace, Elicit, and Scite.ai covering the years 2015–2025. The results of the study indicate that guava leaf extract exhibits antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli with an average inhibition zone of 12–18 mm. The use of nanoencapsulation technology is reported to enhance the stability, bioavailability, and antibacterial efficacy of the extract compared to conventional methods. It is concluded that the integration of ethnomedical knowledge with nanoencapsulation technology has the potential to produce innovative herbal formulations that are more effective as alternative therapies for the treatment of diarrhea.

References

World Health Organization. (2023). Diarrhoeal disease. Geneva: World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease

Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia. (2018). Riset Kesehatan Dasar (Riskesdas) 2018. Jakarta: Badan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Kesehatan.

Zulfiana., & Fatmawati. (2023). Prevalence and risk factors of diarrheal disease among children under five in Indonesia. Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat, 19(2), 145–153.

Garrido., Molina., & Sanchez. (2024). Global ethnobotanical uses of Psidium guajava L.: A systematic review of traditional medicinal applications. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 318, 116932.

Niken., Rahmawati., & Suryani. (2023). Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of Psidium guajava leaf extract against enteric pathogens. Indonesian Journal of Pharmacy, 34(1), 45–53.

Santos., Oliveira., & Carvalho. (2025). Nanoencapsulation of plant extracts enhances antimicrobial activity against enteric pathogens. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 20, 2145–2158.

Yulisma. (2018). Antibacterial activity of Psidium guajava leaf extract against Escherichia coli. Jurnal Farmasi Indonesia, 15(2), 87–94.

Biswas., Rogers., & McLaughlin. (2013). Antimicrobial activities of leaf extracts of guava (Psidium guajava L.). Food Chemistry, 141(3), 3237–3244.

Gutiérrez., Mitchell., & Solís. (2008). Psidium guajava: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 117(1), 1–27.

Rai., Yadav., & Gade. (2009). Silver nanoparticles as a new generation of antimicrobials. Biotechnology Advances, 27(1), 76–83.

Garrido., Molina., & Sánchez. (2024). Global ethnobotanical uses of Psidium guajava L.: A systematic review of traditional medicinal applications. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 318, 116932.

Saising., Singdam., & Voravuthikunchai. (2022). Antibacterial activity of guava (Psidium guajava) leaf extracts against enteric pathogens. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 133(4), 2104–2113.

Niken., Rahmawati., & Suryani. (2023). Antibacterial activity of Psidium guajava leaf extract against Escherichia coli and other enteric pathogens. Indonesian Journal of Pharmacy, 34(1), 45–53.

Santos., Oliveira., & Carvalho. (2025). Nanoencapsulation of plant extracts enhances antibacterial activity against enteric pathogens. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 20, 2145–2158.

Biswas., Rogers., & McLaughlin. (2013). Antimicrobial activities of leaf extracts of guava (Psidium guajava L.) on pathogenic bacteria. Food Chemistry, 141(3), 3237–3244.

Gutiérrez., Mitchell., & Solís. (2008). Psidium guajava: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 117(1), 1–27.

Cowman. (2014). Plant polyphenols and their role in antimicrobial activity. Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, 54(3), 394–403.

Rai., Yadav., & Gade. (2009). Silver nanoparticles as a new generation of antimicrobials. Biotechnology Advances, 27(1), 76–83.

Patra., Das., & Baek. (2018). Nano based drug delivery systems: Recent developments and future prospects. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 16(1), 71.

Bilia., Piazzini., & Bergonzi. (2014). Plant extracts loaded in nanocarriers: An emerging strategy for therapeutic applications. Phytomedicine, 21(4), 301–308.