In vitro Evaluation of Helicobacter pylori and Ureases Inhibition Activity of Syrian Honey Samples

Background: It has been considered that Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium associated with a number of important upper gastrointestinal conditions cannot always effectively eradicated by the traditional approaches; however, there some alternative therapies have been presented. Honey has been used as a medicine since ancient times in many countries for its elevated antioxidant activity, as well as expressive antimicrobial activity. Objective: the objective of this study was to investigate the effecting degree of H. pylori with different type of honey samples from Syria. Methods: micro-dilution method and agar-well diffusion assay were carried out on H. pylori isolated from gastric biopsy. Inhibition of H. pylori urease was also tested. Results: all honey samples inhibited the growth of H. pylori with a MIC ranging from 30-50%. Both Black seed honey and Coastal Mountain honeys at 50% (v/v%) showed a growth inhibition zone of 16 and 15 mm, respectively; being similar to the growth inhibition zone of Amoxicillin (15 mm) and Levofloxacin (14 mm). 65% of H. pylori urease activity was inhibited using Black seed honey and Coastal Mountain at 50% (v/v%). Conclusion: These results indicate that Black seed and Coastal Mountain honey samples may be appropriate agents to treat H. pylori.