Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori Growth in vitro by Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Abstract

Objective(s) Anti-<em>Helicobacter pylori</em> effects of saffron<em> (Crocus sativus </em>L., Iridacea) and its major constituents, crocin and safranal, were evaluated. Materials and Methods Macerated aqueous and methanol extracts tested against 45 clinical isolates of <em>Helicobacter pylori</em>, using paper disc diffusion method (DDM) on modified egg yolk emulsion agar (EYE agar). Four antibiotics also tested against all isolates as positive control. Results Although there were small differences in sensitivity among the isolates tested, but all isolates were susceptible to methanol and aqueous extracts. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of methanol extract, crocin and safranal measured as 677, 26.5 and 16.6 mg/ml, respectively, using agar dilution method. The results showed that high temperature did not have any effect on the activity of extracts, crocin and safranal. The effect of pH on the activity of methanol extract indicated no significant difference at pH 5 to 8, in comparison with the control. Conclusion The results indicated that saffron has a moderate anti-<em>Helicobacter</em> activity.