The available therapy against Helicobacter pylori is based on a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors. The high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains leads to failure of this complex therapeutic regimen, leaving millions of people worldwide without effective therapeutic options. “Nature-derived” bioactive compounds with antibacterial performance may be of value for developing newer and more effective strategies. For centuries, natural compounds have played a pivotal role in traditional medicine and, in the last decades, they have gained renewed strength in the clinical field, boosted by advances in chemical characterization and extensive activity screening. Also, their recognition in gastric infection management has been empowered by the bioengineering field, namely by the development of stomach-specific delivery strategies. In this chapter, natural bioactive compounds, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and triterpenic acids with anti-H. pylori effect, are described. The bioengineering approaches used to overcome their limited intrinsic bioavailability are briefly highlighted.
Part of the book: Helicobacter Pylori