"Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with
chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. The
effects of Solanum lyratum extract (SLE) on anti-H. pylori
activity and H. pylori-induced apoptosis were investigated.
SLE showed a moderate ability in inhibiting growth of H.
pylori and also in interrupting the association of bacteria
with host cells. SLE was also able to suppress H. pyloriinduced apoptosis. SLE inhibited caspase-8 activation,
thereby preventing the release of cytochrome c from
mitochondria and activation of the subsequent downstream
apoptotic pathway. Thus, SLE may offer a new approach for
the treatment of H. pylori by down-regulation of apoptosis in
the H. pylori infected gastric epithelium. As it does not
directly target bacteria, SLE treatment might not cause
development of resistant strains. "
