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 μg/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.