title: Psidium guajava L., from ethnobiology to scientific evaluation: Elucidating bioactivity against pathogenic microorganisms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of popular plants has guided pharmaceutical research aimed at combating pathogenic microorganisms. Psidium guajava L. is a plant of great versatility and it has been used both as food and as a therapeutic agent. Root, bark, leaves, fruits, flowers and seeds are used for medicinal purposes, especially in infusions and decoctions for oral and topical use. P. guajava is utilized in symptomatology treatment related to organ malfunction and of diseases caused by the action of pathogenic and/or opportunistic microorganisms. Many pharmacological studies have been conducted to scientifically assess its therapeutic potential.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the current study is to relate the popular use of this plant and its bioscientific assessment as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of diseases and symptoms caused by the action of protozoa, fungi, bacteria and viruses, and also evaluate the safety for the usage and the interaction with drugs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A bibliographic database the ethnobiology of Psidium guajava (2005-2015) and the pharmacological infections and parasitic diseases (2010-2015). Searches were done in scientific disclosure databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  P. guajava leaf extracts were scientifically investigated for the treatment of diseases caused by protozoa (leishmaniasis, malaria, giardiasis, amoebiasis and trichomoniasis), fungi (dermatosis, systemic and mucocutaneous diseases), bacteria (respiratory, mucocutaneous and gastrointestinal infections, cholera, gastritis and stomach ulcers, oral and periodontal infections, venereal diseases and urinary infections) and viruses (herpes, influenza, rotavirus disease and AIDS). The toxicity assays indicates the safet for usage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Highlight and elucidate the therapeutic potential and versatility of P. guajava. They also justify using ethnobiology efficiency to guide pharmacological studies. Some limitations can be observed in this kind of study, as the lack for ethnobiological informations and the absence of some controls in the assays.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil. Electronic address: flavianamoraisb@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Maria Flaviana B
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Morais-Braga
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Joara Nalyda P
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonio Júdson T
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonia Thassya L
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Débora L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Sales
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciene F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Leao Sampaio Faculty, Juazeiro do Norte, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Figueredo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Henrique Douglas M
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Coutinho
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D019448:Ethnobotany / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D031647:Psidium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014780:Viruses / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Antibacterial; Antifungal; Antiprotozoal; Antiviral; Guava tree