Urease: The Ultimate Therapeutic Target for Helicobacter Pylori

Abstract

Gastric ulcer and carcinoma is quite frequent throughout the globe. The most prevalent causative agent of gastric ulcer and carcinoma is a gram-negative bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). The ineffectiveness and side effects of approved drugs as well as antibiotic resistance is a major problem in the treatment of H. pylori. H. pylori possess uncommon urease enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea. Urease is necessary for colonization of H. Pylori in the gastric mucosa and is a potent immunogen that elicits a vigorous immune response. As urease acts as both colonization and virulence factor, new inhibitor of urease from plant sources with no/less adverse effect is vital to efface H. pylori.