Abstract
The relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer associated with stomach lesions has been reported. Improvement of the adverse effects induced by H. pylori is required for human health. It has been reported that wasabi (Wasabia japonica Matsum) leaves have various effects on bacteria and mammals. In this study, the effect was examined of wasabi leaf extract and allyl isothiocyanate (AIT), which is a main functional component of wasabi, on stomach lesions in Mongolian gerbils infected with H. pylori. After the gerbils infected with H. pylori were orally administrated with wasabi leaf extract and AIT for two weeks, colony forming units (CFU) of H. pylori, the degree of gastric mucosal erosion, and petechial hemorrhage in the stomachs of the gerbils were evaluated. Wasabi leaf extract and AIT exhibited a decreasing tendency of CFU in the stomachs. The degree of gastric mucosal erosion and petechial hemorrhage were significantly decreased by the intake of wasabi leaf extract and AIT. Wasabi leaf extract and AIT did not affect body weight, dietary intake, water intake, and the pH of the stomach. From these results, wasabi leaves and AIT may provide a natural remedy for stomach lesions induced by H. pylori.