In vitro Evaluation of Helicobacter pylori and Ureases Inhibition Activity of Syrian Honey Samples

What is it about?

Background: It has been considered that Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium associated with a number of important upper gastrointestinal conditions cannot always effectively eradicated by the traditional approaches; however, there some alternative therapies have been presented. Honey has been used as a medicine since ancient times in many countries for its elevated antioxidant activity, as well as expressive antimicrobial activity. Objective: the objective of this study was to investigate the effecting degree of H. pylori with different type of honey samples from Syria. Method: micro-dilution method and agar-well diffusion assay were carried out on H. pylori isolated from gastric biopsy. Inhibition of H. pylori urease was also tested. Results: all honey samples inhibited the growth of H. pylori with a MIC ranging from 30-50%. Both Black seed honey and Coastal Mountain honeys at 50% (v/v%) showed a growth inhibition zone of 16 and 15 mm, respectively; being similar to the growth inhibition zone of Amoxicillin (15 mm) and Levofloxacin (14 mm). 65% of H. pylori urease activity was inhibited using Black seed honey and Coastal Mountain at 50% (v/v%). Conclusion: These results indicate that Black seed and Coastal Mountain honey samples may be appropriate agents to treat H. pylori.

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Why is it important?

The current study could be an effective evidence of the antibacterial activity of some new regional honey for the treatment of H. pylori. The efficacy of Black seed and Coastal Mountain honey samples was comparable to that of the first and second lines antibiotic therapies (Amoxicillin, Clarithromycin and Levofloxacin). They also exhibited a high urease inhibition and so may serve as a template in the development of urease inhibitors in pharmaceuticals. Further, in vivo clinical studies are still required to assess Black seed and Coastal Mountain honey samples ability to be utilized in the treatment of H. pylori infection.