Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori urease activity by ebrotidine.

Helicobacter pylori is considered a primary factor in the pathogenesis of gastric disease, and the successful mucosal colonization is linked to its urease activity. In this study, we assessed the effect of antiulcer agent, ebrotidine, on the in vitro activity of H. pylori urease. The results of assays showed a dose-dependent inhibition of the urease activity. A maximum inhibition (77%) in H. pylori urease activity occurred at 2.1 microM ebrotidine. A known H2-blocker, ranitidine, in a parallel experiment gave a maximal inhibition of 73% at a considerably higher concentration (6.4 microM). The results demonstrate that ebrotidine with its combined acid suppressant and anti-H. pylori activities offers an excellent choice in the treatment of H. pylori associated gastric disease.