Abstract
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.
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
μg/ml.
Among the herbs evaluated, more than 50% inhibited the growth of eight strains at the concentration of 500
μg/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
μg/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
μg/ml.
The results revealed significant anti-
Helicobacter pylori activity of medicinal plants which could be the potential source of new bactericidal agents.