Effect of the Folk Remedy, Bainiku-ekisu, a Concentrate of Prunus mume Juice, on Helicobacter pylori Infection in Humans

• Published in: Helicobacter (Cambridge, Mass.) Mass.), 2006-12, Vol.11 (6), p.589-591
• Main Authors: Nakajima, Shigemi, Fujita, Kimie, Inoue, Yumiko, Nishio, Muneaki, Seto, Yukio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: alternative therapy; alternative treatment; apricot; Bainiku-ekisu; Drug Administration Schedule; Helicobacter Infections - drug therapy; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Japan; Medicine, Traditional; Pilot Projects; Plant Extracts - administration & dosage; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; plum; Prunus; Prunus mume; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1083-4389; 1523-5378
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-5378.2006.00463.x

Background:  Bainiku‐ekisu, a concentrate of Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) juice, is a traditional Japanese folk remedy for treatment of dyspepsia since more than a thousand years ago. Fujita et al. previously reported in vitro antibacterial effect of Bainiku‐ekisu to Helicobacter pylori. We conducted an in vivo pilot study to evaluate the possibility that Bainiku‐ekisu may have an antibacterial effect on H. pylori in the human stomach. Materials and Methods:  Consecutive 18 H. pylori‐positive subjects were included. Approximately 130 mL 1% Bainiku‐ekisu solution was ingested by the subjects twice a day for 12 weeks. Urea breath test (UBT) was performed before ingestion, and 2 and 12 weeks after starting ingestion of Bainiku‐ekisu, and UBT values were compared. Results:  Bainiku‐ekisu therapy resulted in a slight fall in UBT values after 2 weeks (from 30.1 ± 6 to 23.5 ± 6 in ITT analysis, p = .094; from 31.2 ± 6 to 24.7 ± 6 in PP analysis, p = .124) (data are shown with mean ± SE). In two instances (11%), the UBT values became negative. Fourteen subjects completed the trial for 12 weeks and there was no significant change in UBT values (from 30.1 ± 6 to 25.9 ± 6 in ITT analysis, p = .450; from 35.6 ± 6 to 31.4 ± 7 in PP analysis, p = .555). Conclusion:  Our results are consistent with the antibacterial effect of Bainiku‐ekisu on H. pylori in the human stomach. However, the bacteria were not successfully eradicated with 2‐ or 12‐week ingestion of a Bainiku‐ekisu solution. Subsequent studies will need to identify a clinically useful regimen.