Evaluate of Mastic Against Helicobcater pylori

Gastric infection due to H. pylori is the most common cause of peptic ulcer disease. In the under-developed countries H. pylori is even more common and more than 80% of their population will be infected up to the age of 20 years. Mastic gum (pistacia kurdica) has been used for the treatment of gastric disease from long time ago and its effect on H. pylori in in-vivo researches had been turned out.Material and Msethod: This research is a clinical trial study and comprised all the patients referring to BEASAT hospital endoscopic center. The dagnosis of gastritis in these patients was proved by endoscopic evaluation. Gastric biopsy specimens were obtained from the patients as a substrate for urease test. Endoscopy was performed by the same person using the same instrument for all cases. 40 patients who had positive urease tests were included and divided into intervention and control groups by using randomized block method. Capsules containing 500 mg mastic extract, two times daily, were prescribed for the patients of the intervention group but the control group received standard medical treatment within a period of two weeks. Two weeks later enodscopy and biopsy were performed again.. X2 and fischer statistical tests were used for analysis and comparison of the effects of the treatments in the intervention and control groups. H. pylori was eradicated in 25% and 100% of the patients of the intervention and control groups respectively. But the effects of mastic gum and standard therapy in alleviation of symptoms such as heart burn, nausea and night pain were the same. Generally, despite its excellent effect on eradication of H. pylori in in-vitro experiments, mastic gum, as a new agent, is not suitable for the treatment of H. pylori induced peptic ulcer disease.