In Vitro and In Vivo Activities of Chios Mastic Gum Extracts and Constituents against Helicobacter pylori

Abstract

The extracts and pure major constituents of Chios mastic gum (resin of Pistacia lentiscus var. chia) were tested for their activities against Helicobacter pylori. A total mastic extract without polymer (TMEWP) was prepared after removal of the contained insoluble polymer in order to ameliorate solubility and enhance in vivo activity. Administration of TMEWP to H. pylori SS1-infected mice over the period of 3 months with an average dose of 0.75 mg/day led to an approximately 30-fold reduction in the H. pylori colonization (1.5 log CFU/g of tissue). However, no attenuation in the H. pylori-associated chronic inflammatory infiltration and the activity of chronic gastritis was observed. To further characterize potential active mastic constituents, the TMEWP was separated into an acidic and a neutral fraction. Both were extensively characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy to elucidate the structure of the components contained within each fraction. After chromatographic separation, the acid fraction gave the major triterpenic acids, while the neutral fraction gave several triterpenic alcohols and aldehydes. Mastic extracts and isolated pure triterpenic acids were tested for in vitro activity against a panel of 11 H. pylori clinical strains. The acid fraction was found to be the most active extract (minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC], 0.139 mg/ml), and the most active pure compound was isomasticadienolic acid (MBC, 0.202 mg/ml [0.443 mM]). Our results show that administration of TMEWP may be effective in reducing H. pylori colonization and that the major triterpenic acids in the acid extract may be responsible for such an activity.

Sesquiterpenoids, Triterpenoids, and Flavonoids from the Fruits of Schinus molle

“…1). Recently, the 13 C-NMR data of 3 have been reported (Paraschos, 2007), although the assignments in the literature should be corrected as shown in Table 4 C-NMR data of 5 have not been reported the literature.…”

“…However, the assignment of 13 C-NMR data (in chloroform-d) in the literature (Badria et al, 2003) should be corrected as shown in Table 4, and 1 H-and C-NMR signals were similar to those of 3, except for signals due to C-17 and the side chain moiety, which were quite similar to those of 18 (Olfasson, 1997) (Tables 4 and 5). Thus, 3 was identified as isomasticadienoic acid (Paraschos, 2007) (Fig. 1).…”

Preventive Care for Gastrointestinal Disorders; Role of Herbal Medicines in Traditional Persian Medicine

“…Overall, 69 constituents of this plant, mostly phenolic compounds, have been analyzed and diverse functions including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiulcer effects have been confirmed (39,40). Mastic gum is also effective in eradication of H. pylori infection both in vitro and in vivo (41,42) and relives dyspeptic symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia (43). Although the mechanism of action is not clear currently (43), the effect on gastric function may originate from mastic capacity in preserving the innate heat of stomach.…”

“…The efficacy of some herbal medicines for good function of GI system has been proved in modern medicine. For example, most of 51 essential oils discussed in TPM resources have GI usage for diverse disorders ranging from otitis to hemorrhoid in special dosage forms (40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46). Although the safety and the detection of mechanism of action in herbal preparations are always a matter of concern, the attention has been curved towards ancient medical systems and herbal medicines because of the adverse effects and increasing failure of contemporary drugs (47)(48)(49).…”

Chemopreventive Activity of Mediterranean Medicinal Plants

“…Terpenes are hydrocarbons of plant origin with carbonate skeleton of 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene or isoprene a common organic compound with the formula CH 2 =C(CH 3 )CH=CH 2 . The terpenes identified in Chios mastic are over 80 structures (Papageorgiou et al, 1997;Assimopoulou & Papagerogiou, 2005;Paraschos et al, 2007).…”