Preparation of epigallocatechin gallate-loaded nanoparticles and characterization of their inhibitory effects on<i>Helicobacter pylori</i>growth<i>in vitro</i>and<i>in vivo</i>

Abstract

A variety of approaches have been proposed for overcoming the unpleasant side effects associated with antibiotics treatment of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> (<i>H. pylori</i>) infections. Research has shown that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major ingredient in green tea, has antibacterial activity for antiurease activity against <i>H. pylori</i>. Oral EGCG is not good because of its digestive instability and the fact that it often cannot reach the targeted site of antibacterial activity. To localize EGCG to <i>H. pylori</i> infection site, this study developed a fucose-chitosan/gelatin nanoparticle to encapsulate EGCG at the target and make direct contact with the region of microorganisms on the gastric epithelium. Analysis of a simulated gastrointestinal medium indicated that the proposed <i>in vitro</i> nanocarrier system effectively controls the release of EGCG, which interacts directly with the intercellular space at the site of <i>H. pylori</i> infection. Meanwhile, results of <i>in vivo</i> clearance assays indicated that our prepared fucose-chitosan/gelatin/EGCG nanoparticles had a significantly greater <i>H. pylori</i> clearance effect and more effectively reduced <i>H. pylori</i>-associated gastric inflammation in the gastric-infected mouse model than the EGCG solution alone.