Inside Helicobacter pylori: A Serious Threat to Humans

Helicobacter pylori is a close relative of Campylobacter species, with the ability to colonize the human gastrointestinal tract. This gastric pathogen is a flagellated, Gram-negative bacterium. Chronic gastritis, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, duodenal ulcer, and gastric ulcer are the outcomes of persistent infection with this pathogen. Recent studies have shown a direct relationship between H. pylori and development of gastric adenocarcinoma. A 7- to 14-day course of broad-spectrum antibiotics is required for the elimination of H. pylori. Treatment failure due to chromosomally encoded antibiotic resistance is increasing rapidly, which underlines the importance of new regimens against this pathogen. The vast diversity of natural compounds in living microorganisms such as algae, as well as various dietary components in herbs and foods, provides a new opportunity for the establishment of therapeutic compounds. The majority of intra- and extracellular metabolites in algae have potent inhibitory effects on H. pylori, leading to the development of novel therapeutic agents for gastric ulcer. Application of bioinformatics-based tools has encouraged the scientific community to find novel targets and have led to the development of in silico drugs against the pathogenic elements of H. pylori. Further research on metabolite-based therapeutic agents with the aid of modern tools can be a milestone in the management of the emerging risk of gastric ulcer.