In vitro antibacterial and morphological effects of the urushiol component of the sap of the Korean lacquer tree (Rhus vernicifera Stokes) on Helicobacter pylori.
Eradication regimens for Helicobacter pylori infection have some side effects, compliance problems, relapses, and antibiotic resistance. Therefore, alternative anti-H. pylori or supportive antimicrobial agents with fewer disadvantages are necessary for the treatment of H. pylori. We investigated the pH-(5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, and 10.0) and concentration (0.032, 0.064, 0.128, 0.256, 0.514, and 1.024 mg/mL)-dependent antibacterial activity of crude urushiol extract from the sap of the Korean lacquer tree (Rhus vernicifera Stokes) against 3 strains (NCTC11637, 69, and 219) of H. pylori by the agar dilution method. In addition, the serial (before incubation, 3, 6, and 10 min after incubation) morphological effects of urushiol on H. pylori were examined by electron microscopy. All strains survived only within pH 6.0-9.0. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of the extract against strains ranged from 0.064 mg/mL to 0.256 mg/mL. Urushiol caused mainly separation of the membrane, vacuolization, and lysis of H. pylori. Interestingly, these changes were observed within 10 min following incubation with the 1xminimal inhibitory concentrations of urushiol. The results of this work suggest that urushiol has potential as a rapid therapeutic against H. pylori infection by disrupting the bacterial cell membrane.
Suk
Ki Tae
KT
Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
Kim
Hyun Soo
HS
Kim
Moon Young
MY
Kim
Jae Woo
JW
Uh
Young
Y
Jang
In Ho
IH
Kim
Soo Ki
SK
Choi
Eung Ho
EH
Kim
Myong Jo
MJ
Joo
Jung Soo
JS
Baik
Soon Koo
SK
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002396:Catechols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D015394:Molecular Structure; D029045:Rhus / Q000737:chemistry*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002396:Catechols; C003747:urushiol