Linking traditional anti-ulcer use of rhizomes of Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) to its anti-Helicobacter pylori constituents

The rhizomes of Bergenia ciliata (B. ciliata, Family: Saxifragaceae) are widely used for treating gastric ulcers in folk medicine in Asia. It was hypothesized that anti-ulcer activity of B. ciliata is due to its anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) activity. The anti-H. pylori activity was investigated on six clinical bacterial isolates using agar well-diffusion and broth micro-dilution methods. The anti-H. pylori activity of amoxicillin (standard) was the highest (Zone of inhibition; ZI = 25 mm, minimum inhibitory concentration; MIC=0.125 mu g/mu L) whereas among all the extracts of the rhizomes, methanol extract showed the highest activity (ZI = 16 mm, MIC = 12.50 mu g/mu L). Bioassay guided isolation of methanol extract using chromatographic and crystallization techniques isolated bergenin (ZI = 21mm, MIC = 0.391 mu g/mu L) as constituent responsible for anti-H. pylori activity. The present study describes for the first time anti-H. pylori activity and possible mechanism of anti-ulcer properties of rhizomes of B. ciliata.