Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of Larrea divericata Cav (Jarilla) extracts.

VEGA, ALBA; DAVICINO, ROBERTO; STEGE, PATRICIA; CASALI, YOLANDA; MICALIZZI, BLAS

Mendoza

Congreso; XXI Reunión Científica Anual de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo.; 2003

Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo, Socidad Argentina de Microscopía

The development of resistance against clarithromycin (CLA) and metronidazole (MTZ) during treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection is a predominant cause of therapy failure. The search for new drugs that can serve as alternatives is thus very important. Larrea divaricata Cav (jarilla) (Zygophyllaceae) is a plant used in folk medicine for the treatment of microbial infections and tumor. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of decoction (D) and simulated digestion (SD) of jarilla. against one H. pylori reference strain and six clinical isolates. Antibacterial activity was assayed by agar dilution method. Serial dilutions of the CLA and MTZ ranging from 128 to 0.008 mg/l. Extract concentrations of 20 at 100 mg/ml were prepared in Mueller-Hinton agar supplemented with 7% horse blood. The MIC was recorded as the lowest concentration of drugs inhibiting visible growth. All clinical isolates were CLA resistant and one was MTZ resistant. Complete inhibition in vitro was achieved by 79,3 mg/ml of SD and 100 mg/ml of D, however 71.4% (5/7) of strains was inhibited at 85.3 mg/ml of decoction. The results indicate that Larrea divaricata Cav. may be a source of compounds with a therapeutic potential against H. pylori resistant and sensitive strains.