Anti-Helicobacter pylori Effects Of The Methanol Extracts Of Allium ascalonicum (Linn.) (Liliaceae) Bulb

Abstract

Allium ascalonicum bulb of the family Liliaceae is an annual herbaceous plant of smaller size than Allium cepa. The bulb is of considerable importance in African cooking and in salads . Various species have been reported to have anti-diabetic, hypocholesterolaemic, fibrinolytic, anti-ulcer and diuretic potentials. Crude methanol extracts of Allium ascalonicum bulb was screened against three strains of Helicobacter pylori (UCH 97001, UCH 98026 and UCH 97009) for antibacterial activity by the agar diffusion method on Muller-Hinton agar supplemented with defibrinated horse blood and grown in a microaerophilic incubator. All the strains were inhibited by the extract. Further investigation on the effect of the extracts on the urease activity of the Helicobacter pylori strains showed that urease activity of all the strains decreased with increase in the concentration of the extracts. Phytochemical screening of the plant revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides and essential oils while tannins were not detected. Allium ascalonicum bulb has some therapeutic potential against Helicobacter pylori, which may be explored by pharmaceutical companies and patients with gastroduodenal disorders.

Key words: Allium ascalonicum, anti - Helicobacter pylori, urease activity.

Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.18(1-2) 2003: 87-92