Korea red ginseng on Helicobacter pylori-induced halitosis: newer therapeutic strategy and a plausible mechanism.
BACKGROUND
Gas chromatographic documentation of volatile sulfur compounds in Helicobacter pylori cultures and the amelioration of halitosis after eradication suggested a causal link between H. pylori infection and halitosis.


OBJECTIVE
We hypothesized that Korea red ginseng can relieve H. pylori-associated halitosis based on their anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective actions in H. pylori-associated gastritis.


METHODS
Eighty-eight functional dyspepsia patients presenting with either subjective halitosis or objective halimeter levels >100 ppb were recruited, on whom tests were repeated after 10 weeks of red ginseng administration. The expressions of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE), cystathionine beta-synthetase (CBS), IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1beta mRNA were compared in H. pylori-infected or NaHS-treated gastric epithelial cells according to red ginseng treatment.


RESULTS
After 10 weeks of red ginseng administration, 38 patients out of 68 H. pylori-positive cases became 'free of halitosis' accompanied with halimeter levels <50 ppb accordant with the subjective resolution of halitosis. Among the remaining 30 patients, 15 cases administered with both eradication regimen and red ginseng supplement showed either higher eradication rates (93.3%) or were found to be completely free of halitosis in comparison to the other 15 patients who were only administered the eradication regimen. Among 20 H. pylori-negative patients, 13 patients became 'free of halitosis' with 10 weeks of red ginseng treatment alone. Red ginseng extracts significantly decreased H. pylori- or NaHS-induced CSE expressions concomitant with attenuated levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1beta mRNA.


CONCLUSIONS
The strategy consisting of Korea red ginseng supplementation after the successful eradication of H. pylori could be an effective way to fight troublesome halitosis.
Department of Gastroenterology, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, and Laboratory of Translational Medicine, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Incheon, Korea.
Jeong Sang
JS
Lee
Kwang An
KA
Kwon
Hyeon Sik
HS
Jung
Joo Hyeon
JH
Kim
Ki-Baik
KB
Hahm
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001944:Breath Tests; D003541:Cystathionine beta-Synthase / Q000032:analysis; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / Q000032:analysis; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D055670:Medicine, Korean Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D005894:Panax; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014508:Urea / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D007378:Interleukins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014508:Urea; D003541:Cystathionine beta-Synthase; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase