In vitro antibacterial activity of neochebulinic acid from aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula Retz against Helicobacter pylori

Neochebulinic acid, a component of Terminalia chebula Retz, exhibits diverse biological activities. This study aimed to investigate its anti-Helicobacter pylori (HP) activity. Through using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, neochebulinic acid was isolated and identified. Efficacy was assessed via minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and other assays. It demonstrated neochebulinic acid’s ability to inhibit HP proliferation, damage bacterial structure, and suppress Cytotoxin-associated gene A (Cag A) protein expression, with high selectivity towards HP. Neochebulinic acid also acts as an anti-adhesive agent, preventing HP adhesion to host cells. These findings suggest its potential as a targeted therapeutic against HP infections, paving the way for novel anti-HP therapies.