Helicobacter pylori Current Chemotherapy and New Targets for Drug Design

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori infection is a major cause of many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including gastritis, non-ulcer dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancers. It is estimated that more than half of the human race is affected by this organism. Although effective treatments are available which will eliminate the organism in about 90 percent; of cases in developed countries, the pandemic occurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection coupled with its ability to develop resistance to our current arsenal of antimicrobial regimens and subsequently reinfect patients makes the pathogenic potential of this microorganism a major global health concern. Provided is a review of the current and evolving therapeutic regimens used in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, the difficulties associated with in vitro drug screening, as well as potentially new therapeutic targets. In addition, the discovery, the unique physiology, biochemistry, and pathogenicity of this remarkable microorganism is examined.

GC-MS Analysis and Gastroprotective Evaluations of Crude Extracts, Isolated Saponins, and Essential Oil from Polygonum hydropiper L.

“…The Bacterium P. mirabilis is a frequent cause of urinary tract infections, especially in the elderly catheterized individuals, and is the second leading cause of urinary tract infections after Escherichia coli (Mohammed et al, 2014 ). Ureolytic activity of numerous microorganisms including P. mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris , and Ureaplsma urealyticum is implicated in urolithiasis which cause chronic pelvic and kidney inflammation (Williamson, 2001 ). The ammonia produced by urease is responsible for the raise in urine pH followed by formation of struvite and apatite stones which are characteristic features of P. mirabilis infection.…”

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Novel Organophosphorus Inhibitors of Bacterial Ureases

“…6 The studies on novel urease inhibitors are essential not only for the basic research on urease biochemistry but also for the possible development of a highly needed therapy for urease mediated bacterial infections. 1,8,26,27 Ammonia released in the urease catalyzed reaction is either a direct cause of clinical conditions or a crucial factor to the pathogen survival and a host colonization. Ureolytic activity of several microorganisms, i.e., Proteus mirabilis, Proteus Vulgaris, and Ureaplasma urealyticum, is involved in the formation of urinary tract stones, which may lead to the chronic inflammation of kidney and its pelvis.…”

“…Helicobacter pylori infection of stomach is possible only after local neutralization of gastric acid by released ammonia. 27,40,41 Furthermore, high concentration of ammonia disturbs mucosal permeability, in particular hydrogen ions passage through mucosal surface, and causes formation of peptic ulcers. 42,43 Physiology or Medicine, awarded to Warren and Marshall for the research on the role of H. pylori in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.…”

Anti-Helicobacter pylori Potential of Artemisinin and Its Derivatives

“…Development of drugs derived from natural sources is receiving increasing attention particularly because of their potential to keep pathogenic strains sensitive. Sustained efforts worldwide in searching anti-H. pylori leads from natural products have already led to the elaboration of many plant-derived molecules with interesting prospects (10,23,36,48).…”