Inhibitory Effects of β-Caryophyllene on <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> Infection In Vitro and In Vivo

• Main Authors: Hyun Jun Woo, Ji Yeong Yang, Min Ho Lee, Hyun Woo Kim, Hye Jin Kwon, Min Park, Sung-kyu Kim, So-Young Park, Sa-Hyun Kim, Jong-Bae Kim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: antimicrobial; β-caryophyllene; <i>helicobacter pylori</i>; mongolian gerbil; natural compound
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/3/1008

The human specific bacterial pathogen <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> (<i>H. pylori</i>) is associated with severe gastric diseases, including gastric cancer. Recently, the increasing resistance makes the usage of antibiotics less effectively. Therefore, development of a new antimicrobial agent is required to control <i>H. pylori</i> infection. In the current study, the inhibitory effect of &#946;-caryophyllene on <i>H. pylori</i> growth, as well as the antibacterial therapeutic effect, has been demonstrated. &#946;-caryophyllene inhibited <i>H. pylori</i> growth via the downregulation of <i>dna</i>E, <i>dna</i>N, <i>hol</i>B, and <i>gyr</i>A and also downregulated virulence factors such as CagA, VacA, and SecA proteins. &#946;-caryophyllene inhibited expression of several T4SS components, so that CagA translocation into <i>H. pylori</i>-infected AGS gastric cancer cells was decreased by &#946;-caryophyllene treatment. &#946;-caryophyllene also inhibited VacA entry through the downregulation of T5_aSS. After &#946;-caryophyllene administration on Mongolian gerbils, the immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Hematoxylin&amp;Eosin stains showed therapeutic effects in the treated groups. Hematological data, which was consistent with histological data, support the therapeutic effect of &#946;-caryophyllene administration. Such a positive effect of &#946;-caryophyllene on <i>H. pylori</i> infection potently substantiates the natural compound as being capable of being used as a new antimicrobial agent or functional health food to help patients who are suffering from gastroduodenal diseases due to <i>H. pylori</i> infection.