Small compounds attenuate the virulence of <i>H</i>. <i>pylori via</i> inhibiting urease activity.

<p>(A) Viability of gastric cells exposed to <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>. (B) Images of AGS cells after exposure (24 h) to <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> with or without supplementation of AHA, CBS, <b>cmpd4</b>, and <b>cmpd8</b>. CBS and <b>cmpd4</b>/<b>cmpd8</b>-treated <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> cells show less toxicity to gastric cells. (C) Amounts of ammonia in cell culture medium after exposure of gastric cell to <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>. Urea was supplied to allow a final concentration of 10 mM. Reduced levels of ammonia are noted in CBS- and <b>cmpd4</b>/<b>cmpd8</b>-treated groups. The underlying data for Fig 5A and 5C can be found in <a href="http://www.plosbiology.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pbio.2003887#pbio.2003887.s001" target="_blank">S1 Data</a>. AHA, acetohydroxamic acid; CBS, colloidal bismuth subcitrate.