Bactericidal activity of medicinal plants, employed for the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments, against Helicobacter pylori

Aim of the study: Helicobacter pylori infection plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. The current PPI-based triple regimens for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori faces uprising resistance problem demanding for the search of novel candidates. Medicinal plants have always been a source of lead compounds for drug discovery. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of 50 commonly used Unani (traditional) medicine plants from Pakistan that are extensively utilized for the cure of gastrointestinal disorders to explore the natural source for pilot compounds against Helicobacter pylori. Materials and methods: Total seven clinical isolates and one standard strain were employed to examine the bactericidal effects of medicinal plants. Helicobacter pylori was isolated from the antral biopsy specimens and confirmed through the standard microbiology procedures. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the active plants was determined at the concentration range from 7.8 to 500 mu g/ml. Results: Among the herbs evaluated, more than 50% inhibited the growth of eight strains at the concentration of 560 mu g/ml. The 70% aqueous-ethanol extracts of Curcuma amada Roxb., Mallotus phillipinesis (Lam) Muell., Myrisctica fragrans Houtt., and Psoralea corylifolia L. demonstrated strong anti-Helicobacter pylori activity with MBC value ranged from 15.6 to 62.5 mu g/ml. The most potent bactericidal activity was exhibited by Mallotus phillipinesis (Lam) Muell. which completely killed the bacteria at the concentration of 15.6-31.2 mu g/ml. Conclusion: The results revealed significant anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of medicinal plants which could be the potential source of new bactericidal agents. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.