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Introduction
Helicobacter pylori is a common bacterial species that infects the human stomach and is a major cause of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and stomach cancer. The effectiveness of standard triple therapy for H. pylori eradication has decreased due to increasing antibiotic resistance. As a result, there is a need for alternative treatment approaches such as phytotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro activity of a patented blend of plant extracts from chamomile flowers, coneflower herbs, peppermint leaves, and thyme herbs, known as H. pylori tea against H. pylori. The study was conducted at the Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology with Laboratory for Microbiological Diagnostics and the Department of Pharmacognosy with Medicinal Plant Unit at the Medical University of Lublin in Poland.
Methods
The product was prepared by macerating the plant extracts in various solvents and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using the microdilution broth method. The solvents used were ethyl acetate, ethanol 99.8%, and 70% aqueous ethanol.
Results
The MIC values of the H.pylori natural treatment tea blend against H. pylori were as follows: the blend demonstrated activity with MIC values of 31.3-125 µg/ml, depending on the solvent used. The most active extracts were those obtained with ethyl acetate or ethanol 99.8%, with MIC values ranging from 15.6-62.5 µg/ml. The lowest activity was observed for the extract obtained with 70% aqueous ethanol, with MIC values ranging from 62.5-250 µg/ml.
Discussion
The results of this study indicate that the blend has promising in vitro activity against H. pylori. The most active extracts were those obtained with ethyl acetate or ethanol 99.8%. These results are similar to those of the essential oil components bisabolol, menthol, and thymol. Further studies are needed to confirm the activity of this patented blend against clinical H. pylori isolates and to investigate possible mechanisms of action.
Conclusion
The patented “H. pylori tea” blend, made from chamomile flowers, coneflower herbs, peppermint leaves, and thyme herbs, shows promising in vitro activity against H. pylori and has potential for use as an adjuvant agent in H. pylori infection treatment or prevention.
Defining key terms used in the study of ‘H. pylori treatment tea‘ for H. pylori infection
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) – the lowest concentration of a substance that can inhibit the growth of a microorganism
H. pylori – Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that infects the human stomach
Phytotherapy – the use of plant-derived substances for medicinal purposes
Maceration – a process of extracting substances from plants by soaking them in a solvent
Solvent – a substance capable of dissolving another substance
In vitro – experiments performed in a test tube or other artificial environment outside of a living organism
Microdilution broth method – a method for determining the minimum inhibitory concentration of a substance by measuring the inhibition of microbial growth in a broth culture
Ethyl acetate – a solvent with a fruity or sweet smell, commonly used to extract essential oils from plants
Ethanol – a type of alcohol commonly used as a solvent in the preparation of plant extracts
Aqueous ethanol – a solution of ethanol
Bisabolol – a terpene compound found in essential oils, particularly chamomile
Menthol – a terpene compound found in peppermint oil with a minty aroma and cooling effect
Thymol – a monoterpene compound found in thyme oil with a pungent, antiseptic aroma