Compounds of Plant Origin: The Blue Ocean of Anti-Helicobacter pylori Medicines

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a globally prevalent pathogen implicated in gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric malignancies, remains a critical public health challenge due to its high infection rate and complex pathogenesis. Although antibiotic-based regimens are the current therapeutic mainstay, their clinical utility is increasingly constrained by rising resistance rates, treatment-associated adverse effects, and incomplete eradication efficacy. Natural products, particularly plant-derived bioactive compounds, have emerged as a promising reservoir for anti-H. pylori drug discovery, demonstrating multifaceted mechanisms ranging from direct bactericidal activity to virulence factor suppression. However, to date, no phytochemical compounds have been successfully developed into antibacterial drugs, though accumulating preclinical evidence highlights their translational potential. This review systematically evaluates the epidemiological characteristics and clinical impacts of H. pylori infection, as well as the therapeutic limitations of current eradication regimens. Furthermore, it emphasizes the current status, underlying mechanisms, and challenges of natural products in the treatment of H. pylori. We aim to gain deeper insights into the medicinal value of natural products, thereby providing valuable references for the development of novel drugs targeting H. pylori infection and evidence-based antimicrobial treatment.