Using Caprylic Acid for the Prevention and Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Gastric Cancer: A Review

The present study investigates the bactericidal and anticancer potential of caprylic acid (CA) against Helicobacter pylori infection, a major global risk factor for gastric cancer. Several chronic inflammatory processes, bacterial virulence factors, and carcinogenic mechanisms-capable of inducing DNA damage in gastric epithelial cells, promoting genomic instability, and contributing to the development of gastritis or peptic ulcer disease in susceptible individuals-remain incompletely understood. CA, a medium-chain fatty acid naturally found in plant and animal sources such as coconut oil and goat's milk, possesses notable biological properties that may confer gastroprotective effects against gastric cancer induced by H. pylori. Despite advances in medical management, no universally effective strategy currently exists for the treatment or prevention of H. pylori-associated gastric cancer. Conventional therapies, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, often entail long-term complications that may affect patients' nutritional status. In brief, further elucidation of the mechanisms underlying medium-chain fatty acid metabolism, particularly that of CA in gastric cancer cells, may yield valuable insights for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. Consequently, the integration of CA into therapeutic dietary regimens and the formulation of nutraceuticals targeting H. pylori infection and related gastric pathologies warrant consideration. Therefore, CA could be considered a potential adjuvant in the preventive treatment of H. pylori-induced gastritis and its associated complications. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to confirm its beneficial use for this pathology.