The effect of Iranian native medicinal plants on Helicobacter pylori: review study

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative and microaerophilic bacterium. About half of the human population in the world is infected with this bacterium. Helicobacter pylori is known to be one of the main causes of stomach ulcers and gastric cancer. The increased antibiotic resistance, the high cost of combined treatments and adverse side effects have led to an increase in the tendency to alternative methods such as the use of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, probiotics and herbal medicines.

In this study the published articles on the effects of 29 plant families, including 69 Iranian plant species against H. pylori in vitro and in vivo conditions were reviewed and categorized.

According to the obtained results, plants such as Mentha Piperita, Zataria multiflora, Salvia mirzayanii, Geum Iranicum, Rhus coriaria , Commiphora myrrha, Heracleum persicum, Trachyspermum amm, Artemisia absinthium, Glycyrrhiza glabra L, Olea europaea and Punica granatum are the most affected plants against Helicobacter pylori in vitro condition. Discussion and

The observed antibacterial effects of the tested herbs in this study suggest that these herbs have the potential to be used as a viable alternative treatement for of the H. pylori infections but antibacterial activity evaluation of herbal extracts against H. pylori should be evaluated both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Also, determining the effective ingredient can help further research in this regard. The effectiveness of the same plant species should be evaluated in the different regions and ultimately concluded in the field of their effect. It is clear that the obtain outcome of the antibacterial effect of the same herbal extract on different strains of a bacterial species might be different so the standard strain of H. pylori must be use.