DRUG DELIVERY STRATEGIES FOR HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION MANAGEMENT: AN OVERVIEW

Helicobacter pylori, profoundly termed as H. pylori, is a gram negative microorganism and a main causative pathogen for gastritis, peptic ulcers, duodenal ulcers and mucosa associated lymphatic tissue (MALt) lymphoma that leads to gastric cancer in infected patients, if uncontrolled in the stipulated time. Until 1994, half of the total world population was suffering from H. pylori infection. based on a WHO survey it is predicted that by 2020, H. pylori infection will be the top ten of the leading causes of death worldwide. this current scenario indicates that it is high time for pathologists, pharmacologists and pharmaceutical formulation development scientists to come together to address the challenge of managing H. pylori infection. this article briefly highlights symptoms, diagnostic tests and various treatment regimens reported for the management of the H. pylori infection. the present article mainly focuses upon novel drug delivery systems developed in the last decade, with special emphasis on the need of gastro retentive drug delivery systems (GRDDS), for effective management of H. pylori infection. targeted drug delivery to the stomach mucosal layer is believed to provide a site-specific effect for eradication of H. pylori. the authors have analysed various reported approaches to deliver drugs for the management of H. pylori infection. It is evident that efficacious results can be obtained with a multi-particulate drug delivery system as compared to a conventional single unit dosage form.