Anti-Helicobacter activities of Kakadu Plum and colloidal silver

Abstract

Background. The Kakadu Plum (KP) is wild-harvested in Northern Australia (Nt.WA) and a revered Aboriginal remedy for many ailments. The fruit is rich in ascorbate, other anti-oxidants and contains potent anti-bacterials (1). Colloidal metallic silver (CMS) preparations have shown anti-Helicobacter activity (2). Procedures. Gastric Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection was assessed with a MetAtron diagnostic monitor (IPP). Volunteers attending a naturopathic clinic took oral treatments with either dried KP extract (1 gm b.i.d.) or CMS (≤0.3 mg Ag b.i.d.) Lunasol™ for five days only. Probability indices for HP infection were determined on days zero, 7, 14 and 28 to assess a) efficacy and b) duration of response post-treatment. [Protocols for clinical studies were approved by an appropriate Human Ethics Committee.] Results: KP extract effectively reduced gastric HP burden >85% within one week. The KP was particularly valuable as second-line treatment in a few subjects (3/17) showing lesser responses (≤40%) to CMS alone. Conclusion: At present, supply constraints and significant harvesting costs may limit the usefulness of KP as a pytotherapy to treat gastric inflammation/ulcers associated with HP. Nevertheless it is a valuable synergist for tandem therapy with other traditional remedies for ulcer disease eg Bismuth, licorice (2).