# Berberrubine inhibits Helicobacter pylori by inducing oxidative stress and impairing membrane integrity

## TL;DR

Berberrubine effectively inhibits Helicobacter pylori by causing oxidative stress and damaging cell membranes, offering a potential alternative to antibiotics.

## Contribution

The study identifies berberrubine as a potent anti-H. pylori agent and reveals its mechanism of action through oxidative stress and membrane disruption.

## Key findings

- Berberrubine has a minimum inhibitory concentration of 11 μg/ml against H. pylori.
- The compound induces oxidative stress and membrane damage, which are reversed by N-acetylcysteine.
- Berberrubine also shows inhibitory effects against Escherichia coli, suggesting broader antimicrobial activity.

## Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a major gastric pathogen with increasing antibiotic resistance, creating an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. We screened 37 pure compounds and 9 herbal extracts for anti‐H. pylori activity and identified berberrubine as the most potent agent, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 11 μg/ml. Berberrubine exhibited bacteriostatic effects by inducing oxidative stress and disrupting membrane integrity, as demonstrated by transcriptomic analysis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and structural damage, all of which were alleviated by the antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine. Similar inhibitory effects were observed in Escherichia coli, indicating broader antimicrobial potential. This study provides the mechanistic evidence of berberrubine's activity against H. pylori, highlighting its promise as a candidate for development into alternative therapies to address antibiotic resistance.