Abstract
Helicobacter pylori is a significant risk factor for gastric cancer, making its elimination crucial for prevention. This review explores the application of nanotechnology in enhancing treatment efficacy against H. pylori and addressing antibiotic resistance. Nanomaterials are utilized as drug carriers to protect pharmaceuticals from the acidic gastric environment and enable controlled release. These materials can be specifically engineered to target H. pylori surface molecules, thereby improving antimicrobial efficacy. Enhanced drug penetration is achieved by optimizing the surface properties and molecular architecture of nanomaterials. Additional strategies include targeting H. pylori virulence factors, such as urease and vacuolating cytotoxin A, as well as inhibiting bacterial proliferation through reactive oxygen species-based therapies. Moreover, the ability of nanomaterials to effectively modulate the microbiota and inhibit pathogens has shown great potential in the application of combating H. pylori. By focusing on specific invasion mechanisms and metabolic pathways, nanotechnology offers significant promise for advancing treatments against H. pylori. Despite its potential, several challenges remain, including high drug development costs, difficulties in precise targeting, and adverse effects associated with certain approaches, such as photothermal therapy. Ongoing optimization of nanotechnological strategies is anticipated to address these challenges, thereby facilitating the development of more effective and targeted therapies for H. pylori infection.