Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of local edible plants

Helicobacter pylori, gram negative bacteria, are mainly located in human stomach and, recognized as the cause of gastritis, dyspepsia, peptic ulceration and gastric carcinoma.[1] Eradication of H. pylori is hard to achieve and requires multiple antibiotic regimens. The growing problem of antibiotic resistance by the microorganism demands the search for novel compounds from plants. This study aimed at evaluating the anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of edible plants used in local area of Thailand. The in vitro antibacterial activity of a total of 57 methanolic extracts from dietary plants and spices were investigated by disc diffusion method against H. pylori. The inhibition strength of extract specimens can be classified in 4 groups which are strong, moderate, mild and no activity. The specimens that showed strong activity were then evaluated the MIC against H. pylori using agar dilution technique. It was found that the methanol extract of Zingiber officinalis, Curcuma parviflora, Peperomia pellucida, Polygonum odoratum, Gymnema inodorum, Plectranthus amboinicus, Spondias pinnata and Marsilea crenata revealed activity against H. pylori with MIC 2.5 µg/ml whereas MIC of amoxicillin, positive control, is 7.81 µg/ml. The results showed the possibility of considering local edible plants a chemopreventive agent for peptic ulcer or gastric cancer.

Reference:

[1] Kandulski A, Selgrad M and Malfertheiner P. (2008). DIGEST LIVER DIS. 40: 619 – 626.