ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF TRICHORABDAL-A FROM RABDOSIA-TRICHOCARPA AGAINST HELICOBACTER-PYLORI

Rabdosia trichocarpa is used in a popular home-made remedy for gastric and stomachic complaints in Japan. A diterpene, trichorabdal A from R . trichocarpa, showed a very strong in vitro antibacterial activity ag ainst Helicobacter pylori. With regard to the antibacterial activity o f the extract and constituents of R. trichocarpa against H. pylori, th e effect of traditional use of this plant for the treatment of gastrit is is probably due to the suppression of H. pylori since the extract o f R. trichocarpa particularly inhibits the growth of H. pylori. It cou ld be a promising native herb treatment for patients with gastric comp laints including gastric ulcer caused by H. pylori.