Urolithin B alleviates Helicobacter pylori-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in mice

Background: Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections. Active eradication of H. pylori infection is rare due to the fact that most infected patients are asymptomatic and the use of large amounts of antibiotics in eradication therapy leads to severe side effects. Urolithin B (UB) is an additional major intestinal metabolite of ellagic acid (EA), which has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic biological activities. Preventing the incidence of H. pylori- related gastric disease and reducing the damage to the host by H. pylori is a current approach to control H. pylori infection. In this study, we explored the effect of UB on H. pylori infection. Materials and Methods: The effects of UB on inflammation and oxidative stress induced by H. pylori in vivo and in vitro were investigated by qPCR, ELISA, HE staining, IHC staining, etc. Results: UB reduced the adhesion and colonization of H. pylori and improved H. pylori induced inflammation and oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, UB had better anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects than clarithromycin (CLR) and metronidazole (MET). In addition to inhibiting the secretion of CagA, UB reduced tissue damage by H. pylori infection. Conclusions: UB was effective in improving damage caused by H. pylori.