Alleviation of Helicobacter pylori-Induced Pathogenicity and Gastric Inflammation by Majonoside-R2- and Ginsenoside Rg1-Rich Fractions From Panax vietnamensis Ha Et Grushv.: A Metabolomics-Guided Investigation.
Helicobacter pylori infection remains a major global health concern due to its association with gastric inflammation, ulceration, and gastric malignancies. This study evaluated the effects of Ngoc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv.) root fractions on H. pylori virulence and host inflammatory responses. UHPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomic profiling coupled with feature-based molecular networking was employed to characterize the chemical profiles of different solvent fractions, identifying the dichloromethane (DCM) fraction as enriched in ginsenosides, particularly the ocotillol-type saponin majonoside R2 (MR2). In vitro assays showed that, despite minimal direct antibacterial activity, the DCM fraction at sub-inhibitory concentrations significantly reduced urease activity, acid tolerance, biofilm formation, and the expression of major virulence genes, including vacA and cagA. In H. pylori-infected AGS gastric epithelial cells, the DCM fraction and MR2 decreased VacA and CagA translocation, suppressed pro-inflammatory signaling and cytokine production, restored antioxidant defenses, and alleviated mitochondrial apoptosis. By contrast, ginsenoside Rg1 selectively modulated host inflammatory and oxidative stress responses without affecting bacterial virulence gene expression. These results demonstrate that Ngoc Linh ginseng root fractions mitigate H. pylori-induced pathogenic effects primarily through anti-virulence and host-directed mechanisms, highlighting their potential relevance for the development of gastric health-promoting functional products.