The dual action of Mume Fructus against Helicobacter pylori: targeting bacterial viability and virulence.

To tackle the global challenge of Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance, this study screened aqueous extracts from 17 edible plants with reported anti-H. pylori potential and found Mume Fructus extract (MFE) as a potential food-derived anti-H. pylori candidate, and subsequently investigated its efficacy and mechanisms. MFE exerted potent and consistent inhibitory activity against both standard and multidrug-resistant (MDR) H. pylori strains. It alleviated gastric inflammation and restored the mucosal structure in mice, and protected GES-1 cells from H. pylori-induced damage in a dose-dependent manner. Organic acids were identified as the potential key compounds with enhanced cytoprotective effects. MFE and its organic acids significantly downregulated H. pylori virulence genes, whereas organic acids bound to the CagA oncoprotein. These findings suggest that MFE exerts anti-H. pylori effects through direct bacterial growth suppression and virulence attenuation. Given its potent anti-MDR strain activity and favorable safety, MFE represents a promising functional food ingredient for the adjunctive dietary management of H. pylori infection.