A novel compound from celery seed with a bactericidal effect against Helicobacter pylori.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to purify and characterise an antimicrobial component from celery (Apium graveolens) seeds, which have been used for centuries as a herbal medicine with reported antibacterial effects.


METHODS
A crude alcoholic extract of celery seeds was fractionated by organic solvent extractions, column chromatography and HPLC. Fractions were assayed for antimicrobial activity against the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori and other bacteria. The purified antibacterial component was characterised via MS and NMR. Preliminary investigation of its mechanism of action included morphological studies, incorporation of macromolecular precursors, membrane integrity and two-dimensional protein electrophoresis.


RESULTS
The purified component, termed 'compound with anti-Helicobacter activity' (CAH), had potent bactericidal effects against H. pylori; the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were 3.15 microg/ml and 6.25-12.5 microg/ml, respectively. CAH (M(r) = 384.23; empirical formula C(24)H(32)O(4)) had specific inhibitory effects on H. pylori and was not active against Campylobacter jejuni or Escherichia coli. MS and NMR data were consistent with a dimeric phthalide structure. The results appeared to rule out mechanisms that operated solely by loss of membrane integrity or inhibition of protein or nucleic acid synthesis.


CONCLUSIONS
CAH may be suitable for further investigation as a potent agent for treating H. pylori infections.
Zhou
Yong
Y
Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
Taylor
Brian
B
Smith
Thomas J
TJ
Liu
Zhong-Ping
ZP
Clench
Malcolm
M
Davies
Noel W
NW
Rainsford
K D
KD
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077102:Apium / Q000737:chemistry*; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts