ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate antihypertensive and antioxidant activities of Allium hookeri root (AHR) fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and Weissella cibaria. Methods: The novel fermented AHR products using L. plantarum, L. mesenteroides, and W. cibaria were developed and ACE inhibitory activity, DPPH radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content, and total thiosulfinate content were determined. The antihypertensive and antioxidant effects of fermented AHR were further investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Results: Administration of fermented AHR to SHRs had an attenuating effect on both diastolic and systolic blood pressure. The SHRs treated with fermented AHR showed lower plasma ACE activity and higher plasma NO levels. Furthermore, fermented AHR administration led to parallel improvements in plasma oxidative stress biomarkers in SHRs. Conclusion: Our results highlight the potential usefulness of fermented AHR for the prevention of hypertension.
ABSTRACT
Allium hookeri is widely consumed plant as a vegetable and herbal medicine in southeastern Asia. Allium hookeri has been reported antioxidant, improvement of bone health and antidiabetic effects. In the present study, we investigated the potential inhibitory effect of Allium hookeri extract (AHE) on Helicobacter pylori. The in vitro anti-bacterial activities of AHE were determined by disk agar diffusion method. Also, the inhibition effect of the AHE on H. pylori infection was investigated using a mouse model. H. pylori colonization was confirmed by rapid urease tests, as described previously. Mucosal damage was evaluated grossly and histologically according to previously described criteria. As the results of the disk agar diffusion assay, CLR, AMX and MTZ inhibited the bacterial growth with inhibition zone of 19.2, 15.2 and 7.5 mm, respectively. AHE 100 µg/mL showed an inhibition zone value of 20.6 mm. Rapid urease tests of the mice stomachs demonstrated a significant reduction in H. pylori colonization. In addition to the therapeutic effect against H. pylori infection, the AHE reduced mucosal inflammation and epithelial damages in the stomach of H. pylori-infected mice. These results demonstrate that the AHE successfully cured an H. pylori infection and treated the H. pylori infection. This AHE could be a promising treatment for patients with gastric complaints including gastritis caused by H. pylori.