Antibacterial Herbal Therapy for Gastrointestinal Pathogens: Evaluation of Some Medicinal Plants Against E. Coli and H. Pylori

Abstract

Peptic ulcer disease remains a significant global health burden, causing approximately 267,000 annual deaths, with India accounting for 15% of fatalities owing to delayed diagnosis and limited rural healthcare access. Helicobacter pylori (70–90% of cases) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (10–30%) are the primary etiological factors, that disrupt mucosal integrity through virulence factors (CagA and VacA) and prostaglandin inhibition. Conventional therapies face challenges, including antibiotic resistance (30–70% to clarithromycin/metronidazole) and adverse effects, such as dysbiosis and gastrointestinal toxicity. In this study, we evaluated the antibacterial activities of 20 ethnomedicinal plants against Escherichia coli and Helicobacter pylori. Upon evaluating the zone of inhibition and the minimum inhibitory concentration against E. coli, it was found that Eclipta prostrata, and Azadirachta indica (neem) demonstrated strong effects, which are linked to wedelolactone and azadirachtin, respectively. Allium sativum (garlic) also showed significant activity, aligning with its traditional use in combating infections. For H. pylori, garlic and neem demonstrated the strongest inhibition, which was supported by the bactericidal properties of allicin and nimbidin. Ocimum sanctum (holy basil) exhibited moderate efficacy, whereas Aloe vera was the least effective. The multi-target mechanisms of herbal extracts (e.g., membrane disruption and oxidative stress) reduce the resistance risks compared to single-target antibiotics. Despite their lower potency compared to synthetic drugs, plant-derived compounds offer safer and more cost-effective alternatives, particularly in resource-limited settings. These findings validate the use of traditional remedies and highlight their potential as adjunctive therapies to combat antimicrobial resistance. Future research should explore synergistic combinations and standardized formulations to enhance clinical efficacy.