Abstract

Background: Increasing the resistance to antibiotics raises the problem of controlling the infections caused by Helicobacter pylori. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of the mixture of Cinnamon and Ginger extracts on cagA gene expression of H. pylori. Methods: Bacterial susceptibility test to antibiotics and the mixture was determined by the disk diffusion method. To determine the MIC of antibiotics and herbal extracts, Macro dilution broth was used. Bacterial RNA was extracted, and cDNA synthesized. The inhibitory effects of the mixture of both extracts on the cagA gene expression of H. pylori were measured by Real Time RT-PCR. Data analyzed by SPSS with ANOVA test. Results: The MIC results indicated the synergetic effect of Cinnamon and Ginger mixture on inhibition of H. pylori growth compared to the antibacterial effects of the antibiotic (Tetracycline 30 mu g). Also, gene expression showed a significant decrease in the expression level of the cagA gene after exposure to the extract mixture compared to the ureC reference gene (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Regarding the significant reduction in the expression of cagA gene of H. pylori after treatment with the mixture of extracts, it can be concluded that the mixture of two extracts used had an appropriate inhibitory effect on H. pylori.