Anti-Helicobacter pylori compounds from the ethanol extracts of Geranium wilfordii.

ETHNOPHARMOCOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Geranium wilfordii Maxim has been extensively used in Chinese Herbal Medicine for treating gastrointestinal disorders, diarrhea and dysentery. In the current study we aimed to investigate the anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of ethanol extracts of Geranium wilfordii Maxim and its main active compounds, corilagin and 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose.

METHODS

The plant materials were extracted three times with ethanol and the concentrated filtrate was successively fractioned into chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-BuOH-soluble portions which were examined in vitro for the anti-Helicobacter. pylori activity. Employing a standard strain and five clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori, the extract, fractions and compounds of Geranium wilfordii Maxim were assessed in vitro.

RESULTS

The ethanol fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, corilagin, and 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose were found to be strongly inhibitory to Helicobacter. pylori (MICs: 40, 30, 4, and 8μg/ml respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study showed that the ethanol and the ethyl acetate extracts from Geranium wilfordii Maxim displayed as well the most significant inhibition to the growth of Helicobacter. pylori, of which corilagin and 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose have been identified main anti-Helicobacter pylori active constituents.