IN VITRO EFFICACY OF OM-X CAPSULES AGAINST
HELICOBACTER PYLORI

Introduction & Conclusion
by Associate Professor John Lambert, Mrs.C.Mishra, Research Assistant,
Monash University, Department of Medicine Gastrointestinal Research Group, Clayton VIC 3168

INTRODUCTION
Helicobacter pylori play an important role in peptic ulcer disease and gastric carcinoma. Infection occurs worldwide (50-80% in some area). About 35% of the adult Australian population is infected and 15% having clinically significant symptoms. Current therapy for the treatment of H. pylori infection is about 80% effective, expensive and associated and with side effects. Newer treatments which are safe, cost effective, reduce and/or to replace the use of allopathic drug(s), avoid the development of bacterial resistance and simple to administer are thus urgently required for the treatment of H.pylori infection.

Our Gastrointestinal Research Group University (Monash medical Centre and Frankston Mornington peninsula hospital) had shown that probiotic microorganisms (Lactic Acid Bacteria or LAB) posses anti-microbial activity against H. pylori in vitro (Ref. 1, 2 & 3). Our initial in vitro study prompted us to determine the fate of H.pylori in the presence of ingredients of OM-X capsules.

From the literature provided on the OM-X capsule, it should be noted that this capsule is a concentrate of wild fruits, herbs, seaweed and 12 strains of Lactic Acid bacteria. Each capsule contains 18 amino acids, 9 vitamins, 5 minerals and 59 million live lactic acid bacteria from four groups namely Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Enteroccous and Bifidobacterium from various fermented foods. Its inventor Dr. lichiroh Ohhira from Japan has shown that Enteroccous faecalis TH10 has bactericidal activity against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The active component is not a peptide or a protein.

This preliminary work was to investigate the first objective of our project proposal submitted to OM-X Marketing Australia Pty Ltd (Dated 19/7/96)

CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORK
The results of the well diffusion assay showed inhibition of all H.pylori strains tested. While growing together in a broth media there was only one log cycle decrease in H.pylori count which was not significant however, when OM-X capsule dissolved first for 18 hrs and then incubated with H.pylori, there was significant reduction in growth. An APT medium is suitable for recovery of LAB from the capsule.

The mechanism for the inhibition of H.pylori is unclear. The results suggest the various metabolites including lactic and acetic acid, other organic acid, hydrogen peroxide, carbon dioxide, diacetyl, bacteriocins and combination of various components may be involved (Ref. 4). It is important to identify and characterise the substance(s) with highest anti-H.pylori to achieve the optimum results.

It is also essential to assess the survival of H.pylori in the presence of OM-X capsule in gastric juice. A study to determine the ability of LAB from OM-X capsule to adhere human intestinal cells in vitro is also essential.

Phase 1 of the project proposal is finished. The next phase of the work is to carry out a small pilot clinical trial to determine the efficacy of the OM-X capsule in human subjects.

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