Nanomaterials: A Prospective Strategy for Biofilm-Forming Helicobacter pylori Treatment

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is prevalent in over 50% of the global population and is recognized as the primary etiological agent for the development of gastric cancer. With the increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance, clinical treatment of H. pylori is a significant challenge. The formation of H. pylori biofilm is an important reason for antibiotic resistance and chronic infection, and it is also one of the key obstacles to eradicating H. pylori. H. pylori biofilm acts as a physical barrier, preventing the penetration of antibiotics and increasing the expression of efflux pump genes and drug-resistant gene mutations. Therefore, the treatment of H. pylori biofilm is extremely challenging. Nanomaterials, such as inorganic nanoparticles, lipid-based nanoparticles, and polymeric nanoparticles, which have properties including disrupting bacterial cell membranes, controlling drug release, and overcoming antibiotic resistance, have attracted significant interest. Furthermore, nanomaterials have the ability to treat H. pylori biofilm owing to their unique size, structure, and physical properties, including the inhibition of biofilm formation, enhancement of biofilm permeability, and disruption of mature biofilm. Moreover, nanomaterials have targeting functions and can carry antimicrobial drugs that play a synergistic role, thus providing a prospective strategy for treating H. pylori biofilm. In this review, we summarize the formation and antibiotic-resistance mechanisms of H. pylori biofilm and outline the latest progress in nanomaterials against H. pylori biofilm with the aim of laying the foundation for the development and clinical application of nanomaterials for anti-H. pylori biofilm.