Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs 7630 inhibits adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric mucosa

Pelargonium sidoides (DC.), belonging to the family of Geraniaceae, originates from the southern parts of Africa. In traditional medicine extracts from roots are used in diseases of the respiratory system and gastrointestinal complaints. Nowadays a root extract (Umckaloabo®) is used therapeutically as antimicrobial agent against infections of the respiratory system. In order to elucidate possible modes of actions we investigated the influence of the extract EPs7630 concerning its influence on microbial adhesion. As model microorganism Helicobacter pylori was used, a germ with a strong adherence to human stomach tissue via its highly specific surface adhesions. In an in-situ anti-adhesion assay intact human stomach tissue from patient resectates was incubated with fluorescent-labelled bacteria. Epithelial adhesion occurred in untreated samples and was quantified by fluorescent microscopy. Pre-treatment of the bacteria with EPs 7630 showed good anti-adhesive activity, being less than that obtained by the positive control blocker sialyllactose. The antiadhesive effect was clearly dose-dependent in a range from 0.001 to 10mg/mL. Using an agar diffusion-test it was shown that EPs7630 had no direct cytotoxicity against Helicobacter pylori over the concentration range used in the adhesion assays. The results show that the extract from Pelargonium sidoides is a potent anti-adhesive agent against Helicobacter pylori and could therefore be a useful choice to avoid the first step of a bacterial infection.