Mastic gum has no effect on Helicobacter pylori load in vivo.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether mastic gum suppresses or eradicates Helicobacter pylori infection in humans.


METHODS
Nine patients with H. pylori infection, and without gastroduodenal ulceration, were recruited from day-case endoscopy lists and treated with mastic 1 g four times daily for 14 days. [13C]Urea breath tests (UBTs) were carried out immediately before, on day 15 and 5 weeks after treatment with mastic.


RESULTS
Mastic had no effect on H. pylori status in any of the eight completed patients; all remained H. pylori positive by UBT with no change in delta scores [pre-treatment mean +/- s.e.m. 19.1 +/- 3.7, day 15 (post-treatment) 18.7 +/- 3.8, P = 0.8, paired t-test].


CONCLUSIONS
Despite reported anti-H. pylori action in vitro, this preliminary study shows that mastic has no effect on H. pylori in humans.
Bebb
James R
JR
Division of Gastroenterology, University Hospital, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
Bailey-Flitter
Nathalie
N
Ala'Aldeen
Dlawer
D
Atherton
John C
JC
D001944:Breath Tests; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014508:Urea / Q000378:metabolism
D000069997:Mastic Resin; D012116:Resins, Plant; D014508:Urea