Investigating the Antimicrobial Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Salvia officinalis Ethanolic Extract Against Helicobacter pylori

One of the most common gastrointestinal infections is Helicobacter pylori infection, which leads to gastritis, gastrointestinal ulcers, and eventually stomach cancer. Many chemical drugs are used to eradicate this bacterium; however, resistance to many drugs and recurrence of infection are some treatment problems. Among these, the role of herbal medicines is very important. Glycyrrhiza glabra and Salvia officinalis are some plants used to treat H. pylori infections. These plants grow in different regions of Iran, and it is important to study their effects on this bacterium.

Accordingly, this study aimed to isolate H. pylori strains and investigate the antimicrobial effects of G. glabra and S. officinalis ethanolic extract against this bacterium.

H. pylori specimens were isolated from endometrium biopsy of the stomach of patients who referred to Sistan and Baluchestan Hospital by culture method. Then, the antimicrobial effects of the ethanolic extracts of G. glabra and S. officinalis were investigated on H. pylori isolates by microdilution method.

The results of this study showed that 30 (60%) cases were metronidazole-resistant, 15 (30%) were amoxicillin-resistant, 12 (24%) were tetracycline-resistant, and 2 (4%) were clarithromycin-resistant. While the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of G. glabra ethanolic extract against H. pylori was 3.1 mg/ml (five strains were inhibited), the highest minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was equal 100 mg/ml (six strains were inhibited). The lowest MIC of S. officinalis against H. pylori was equal 3.1 ppm (12 strains were inhibited), while the highest MBC was 50 ppm (one strain was inhibited).

According to our results, G. glabra and S. officinalis ethanolic extracts had high antibacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant strains. Regarding the continuous and reckless use of chemical drugs, unfortunately, increasing drug resistance in germs is increasing compared to chemical drugs day by day, as a result, be used from medicinal herbs. On the other hand, as the environment (weather and soil area) is effective in the type and amount of phytochemical substances, therefore, it is suggested that when using a medicinal plant for the treatment of diseases, should be addressed to the location of the plant and the type of tissue of the plant to achieve the best Therapeutic effect.