EPs 7630, an extract from Pelargonium sidoides roots inhibits adherence of Helicobacter pylori to gastric epithelial cells.

Helicobacter pylori specifically adheres to gastric host cells, mainly based on carbohydrate-mediated cell-cell interaction. The extract of Pelargonium sidoides roots (EPs) 7630), a South African herbal remedy, is currently used to treat acute bronchitis. EPs 7630 prevents bacteria from attaching to cell membranes. Therefore, the ability of EPs 7630 to interfere with H. pylori growth and adhesion to gastric epithelial cells (AGS cells) was tested in vitro. EPs 7630 inhibited H. pylori growth and with higher potency adhesion to gastric AGS cells. EPs 7630 (50 and 100 microg/ml) reduced bacterial count attached to AGS cells by 77% and 91%, respectively. The results suggest that the mode of action of EPs 7630 is mainly related to its anti-adhesive activity.