Inhibitory effect of medicinal plants from Cameroon on the growth and adhesion of Helicobacter pylori

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Plants in the Cameroon Pharmacopoeia are used by the population as decoctions, infusions and are macerated to relieve digestive and gastric disorders. The aim of this study was to screen for the anti-Helicobacter pylori and anti-adhesion activities of various plant extracts from Cameroon. Methods Medicinal plants used for the treatment and stomach pains and digestive disorders were identified and collected in an ethnopharmacological survey in Cameroon. Dried plant material were used to prepare crude extracts and tested against Helicobacter pylori strain P12 . The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of plant extract was determined by broth micro dilution and agar diffusion methods. The anti-adhesion was determined by adhesion of Fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC) labelled Helicobacter pylori to sections of mouse gastric tissue and expression of adhesion gene in response to the plant extract treatment using RT-PCR and western blotting. Results were analyzed statistically by the Bonferroni’s post hoc test. Results All the plant extracts demonstrated anti-Helicobacter pylori activity with MIC values ranging from 0.125 to 100\u202fmg/ml. Spathodea campanulata and Nicotina tabacum showed the highest anti-Helicobacter pylori activity on H. pylori P12 strain. The lowest MIC recorded by Spathodea campanulata and Nicotina tabacum were 0.125 and 1\u202fmg/ml respectively. Seventeen plant extracts reduced H. pylori adhesion to the mouse tissue stomach. In addition, plant extracts decreased the expression of blood group antigen-binding adhesion BabA and H. pylori outer membrane protein HopZ. Conclusion Spathodea campanulata and Nicotina tabacum may be useful in the development of new drugs for the treatment of H. pylori infection. They represent promising natural sources to be used in pharmacology.