Effectiveness of Apricot Grown in Gilgit-Baltistan for the Eradication of Helicobacter pylori Infection

Abstract

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is a highly nutritious fruit with a variety of bioactive health promoting components. In the first experiment, among the tested varieties, Habi extracted with 80% methanol maintained the higher total phenolic contents, flavonoid contents, radicle scavenging activity and were equally good in regards to antibacterial potential against Escherichia coli, Salmonella entritidis, Pseudomonas flourescens and Helicobacter pylori. These collected extracts were then examined against different solvents. Similar trend was also observed in TPC, TFC, DPPH activity and antimicrobial activities against tested bacteria with butanol extracts of the Habi variety. In the second experiment, comparatively a higher TPC, TFC and DPPH activity was recorded in 4 hrs of extraction time with 40oC temperature at deep orange stage. Similar trend was also recorded in regards to antibacterial activities against tested pathogen respectively. The results also confirmed the higher potential of butanol then other counterparts indicating the maximum values of TPC, TFC and DPPH activity and antibacterial activities against four tested pathogens. In the third experiment, the spectrum of FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of polyphenolic compounds in these extracts. HPLC analysis revealed presence of various bioactive compounds especially chlorogenic acid in butanol extract. These fractions also showed a significant antibacterial activity against four pathogens. This organism showed sensitivity to a dose of 20 μg/ml. It was further found that about 8.4 and 3.8 μg/ml of CA was present in one fruit on fresh and dry weight basis. Finally, H. pylori positive patients were identified followed by a dose of fresh and dried Habi variety to male and female patients for the period of 20 days. Later on, the results suggested that three dried apricots showed promising effects in the urease (up to 37.5%) and IgG (15.8%) of positive patients. So, three dried apricots (approx. 15 gm) are recommended for eradication of infection.