Exploring Medicinal Plants for Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori isa class 1 carcinogen that requires targeted therapeutic strategy. A number of drugs including proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics and antiprotozoals are available for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections like chronic gastric irritation, gastro duodenal ulcers and low grade gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Clinical evaluation of these drugs has shown the incidence of relapses, side effects and drug interactions. Multi drug resistance to Helicobacter pylori has been the main reason for treatment failure. This has been the rationale for the development of new anti- Helicobacter pylori drugs and search for novel molecules has been extended to medicinal herbs that offer better protection, decreased relapse and undevelopment of resistance towards bacteria. The present article reviews the medicinal herbs from global perspective for their anti- Helicobacter pylori activity and active compounds from the plants responsible for this activity. We have highlighted some of the important plants and their active constituents reported for their anti- Helicobacter pylori activity. Ancient system of medicine (Ayurvedic and Unani) supported by modern science is necessary to isolate, characterize and standardize the active constituents from herbal sources for anti-Helicobacter pylori activity.