Planta Med 2013; 79 - PM2
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1348681

Anti-Helicobacter Pylori Activities of Nigerian Propolis (Bee Product)

S Alaribe Chinwe 1, L Rastrelli 2, A Sunday 3, O Emmanuel 4, I Sola 5, C Herbert 1
  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Nigeria
  • 2Dipartimento Scienze Farmaceutiche e Biomediche, University of Salerno, Italy
  • 3Dept of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Lagos. Nigeria
  • 4Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Division, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Nigeria
  • 5Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharm.Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos. Nigeria

Helicobacter pylori, a gram negative bacterium has been implicated in gastro-intestinal cancer and many stomach ulcers. Persistence and re-occurrence of ulcers after therapeutic management with H2 antagonists and proton pumps inhibitors have been attributed to the presence of this bacterium. Propolis, a bee product is used indigenously in the management of ailments such as tumors, inflammations especially those associated with the digestive tract, ulcer, among others. In this study, anti- H. pylori activity of methanolic extract of Nigerian propolis (NP) was investigated using disk-well method. Phytochemical assay carried out on the propolis showed a remarkable difference in the phytochemical composition compared to Brasilian, Cuba and Bolivia propolis.

H. pylori bacteria strain isolated from human gastric biopsy samples was cultured in agar medium under micro-aerobic conditions until the desired amount of growth was obtained. Seven (7) wells were made on each plate and serial dilutions of propolis (400, 200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5 and 6.25µlml-1) were poured into each hole. Wells with clarithromycin, metronidazole and amoxicillin were used as positive controls and a well with no extract, but only sterile 1% DMSO used for extract solubility served as negative control. The plates were then incubated under micro-aerophilic conditions at 37oC using micro-aerophilic system envelopes. The plates were checked for the inhibitory zones around the wells after 72 hrs and diameters of the zones of inhibition were measured. Results of extracts of NP were compared with clarithromycin, metronidazole and amoxicillin and negative control. Zone of inhibition were measured at 30 mm, 23 mm, 25 mm, 18 mm and 10 mm for 400µlml-1, 200µlml-1, clarithromycin, metronidazole and amoxicillin respectively. Minimal inhibitions were detected for 100 and 50µlml-1 while no inhibition was detected for 25, 12.5 and 6.25µlml-1. Well containing the negative control showed full growth of bacteria in the plate. The anti-helicobacter pylori assay results showed that methanolic extract of Nigerian propolis has potent inhibitory activities and is a promising antibiotic agent against this multi resistant bacterium.

Acknowledgment: The authors are grateful to University of Lagos for research grant to carry out this study. Grant No: CRC No. M2012/02

See also the Erratum for

“Anti-Helicobacter Pylori Activities of Nigerian Propolis (Bee Product)” (Planta Medica 2013; 79 (13):1097–1288).