Effect of in vitro simulated digestion on the anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of different propolis extracts

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is among the most common pathogens causing infection in human worldwide [1]. Oxidative stress and gastric inflammation are involved in the progression of HP-related gastric diseases, and can be targeted by integrating the conventional antibiotic treatment with polyphenol-enriched natural products. In this work, we have characterized three different propolis extracts and for the first time, we evaluated their stability under in vitro simulated gastric digestion, compared to their main constituents alone. The extract with higher stability to digestion (PPE) showed a MBC lower than 1 mg/mL on HP strains with different virulence factors. Moreover, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity showed by PPE can contribute to its gastroprotective effect.

Finally, since urease is one of the virulence factor contributing to the establishment of a microenvironment which promotes HP infection, we evaluated the possible inhibition of this enzyme by using molecular docking simulations and in vitro colorimetric assay, showing that galangin and pinocembrin may be involved in this activity.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 December 2021

• References

• 1 Kusters et al. Clin Microbiol Rev 2006; 19: 449–490.
• 2 McGee et al. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2000; 16: 24–31.