The Progress of H. pylori drug research targeting ribosomes: from classic antibiotics to traditional chinese medicine and natural products
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) exhibits a high global prevalence and increasing rates of antibiotic resistance. After infection, it colonizes the gastric mucosa and may lead to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and even gastric cancer, posing a serious threat to human health. The ribosome is a key cellular organelle in H. pylori, responsible for directing protein synthesis. Classic antibiotics eradicate H. pylori by targeting the large and small ribosomal subunits, thereby inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Clinically, macrolides (e.g., clarithromycin) and tetracycline are commonly used to treat H. pylori infection. However, the resistance rate to clarithromycin has been rising year by year, creating greater challenges for successful eradication. Natural products, which are predominantly derived from plants, are widely distributed and readily accessible. Increasing evidence indicates that certain natural products exert strong inhibitory activity against H. pylori. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which classic antibiotics act on the H. pylori ribosome and discusses the anti-H. pylori potential of natural products reported in the literature, with the aim of providing a reference for related research.
Authors: Honghan Qin, Shalini Vellasamy
Institutions: Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Mahsa University
Language: English
Subfield: Gastroenterology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7208769387