Helicobacter pylori causes gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer and affects more than half of the world’s population. Although this infection can have serious consequences, no novel cure or remedy have been discovered, the present therapy still relies on a variety of known antibiotics and anti-secretory agents. In the present study, the potential effect of combinations between methanolic extracts of four Algerian medicinal plants, garlic (Allium sativum), red onion (Allium cepa), cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) and fenugreek (T. foenum-graecum L.), with different strains of lactic acid bacteria against H. pylori, was investigated. Similarly, the in vivo antibacterial effect of fenugreek extract combined with Bifidobacterium breve on H. pylori colonization potential to confirm the enhanced effect of the mixture was explored. Helicobacter pylori was inhibited by all combined mixtures of extracts and probiotics with varying results. The highest anti-H. pylori activities were found in fenugreek/B. breve, cumin/B. breve, garlic/B. breve and onion/B. breve combinations with inhibition diameters of 29, 26, 23 and 25 mm, respectively. Preliminary studies on the effect of probiotics against H. pylori revealed that the inhibition was due to lactic acid and bacteriocins and it was also related to the presence of phenolic compounds in the studied plants, such as gallic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin and vanillic acid. Fenugreek extract was found to inhibit the growth of H. pylori in a concentration-dependent manner. When H. pylori-infected rats were administered B. breve, the infection rate of H. pylori was significantly reduced, while the combination of B. breve and fenugreek extract effectively inhibited H. pylori. In addition, the B. breve and fenugreek extract mixture significantly reduced gastritis in H. pylori-infected rats. These results suggest that this complex mixture may be an alternative to treating diseases caused by H. pylori infection.

NEPHROPROTECTIVE AND DIURETIC EFFECT OF NIGELLA SATIVA L SEEDS OIL ON LITHIASIC WISTAR RATS

Aim: Lawsonia inermis (LI), a naturally grown or cultivated shrub in Northeast of Africa and India, has been traditionally used as a strong remedy for several injuries. However, few studies have reported its use as a cicatrizing agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of daily application of an ointment prepared with LI leaves' powder on wound healing in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty female Wistar rats were used in this study. Excisional wound model was realized by removing skin from the dorsal part of the neck of each animal. Wounds have been then treated by a daily application of LI ointment prepared by mixing leaves' powder to petroleum jelly in test group and by simple application of petroleum jelly in control group. Evaluation of wound healing activity was then based on calculating the percentage of wound contraction, period of epithelialization, and wound index every 3 days for a period of 24 days, then, a histological study of the healed excised wound was performed. Results: Treatment with LI has shown excellent wound healing activity, since it has increased percent of wound contraction, and reduced period of epithelialization and wound index as compared to control (p<0.05). These results have been supported by the histological findings that revealed better epithelialization, dermal differentiation, collagen fiber orientation, and angiogenesis in LI treated rats compared to control (p<0.05). Conclusion: We can conclude that LI leaves' can be used as a potential wound healing agent.

Finding an ideal bone substitute to treat large bone defects, delayed union and nonunions remain a challenge for orthopedic surgeons and researchers