Objectives: Polyphenol compounds are classified as organic compounds with phenolic units exhibiting a variety of biological functions. This meta-analysis aims to assess the efficacy and safety of polyphenol compounds (curcumin, cranberry, garlic, licorice, and broccoli) in eradicating Helicobacter pylori.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources: These include PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Medline, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database , Chinese Scientific Journal Database , and Wan Fang database from inception to January 2022.

Study selection: All randomized controlled trials comparing polyphenol compounds with the placebo or used as an adjunct treatment are included in this meta-analysis.

Data synthesis: The treatment effect for dichotomous outcomes were assessed using risk ratio, while for continuous outcomes, mean differences (MDs) both with 95% CIs, were used. Subgroup analyses were carried out for different treatment schemes and polyphenol compound species.  

Results: 12 trials were included in the meta-analysis. The total eradication rate of H.pylori in the polyphenol compounds group was higher than in the group without polyphenol compounds. Statistical significance was also observed (RR 1.19, 95% CI:1.03 to 1.38, P=0.02). The most frequent adverse effects of polyphenol compounds included diarrhea, headache, and vomiting. However, there were no differences regarding side effects between the two groups (RR 1.47, 95% CI: 0.83 to 2.58, P=0.18). In subgroup analyses, the H.pylori eradication rate regimens with polyphenols therapy was superior to that of regimens without polyphenols therapy in the polyphenols versus placebo subgroup (RR 4.23, 95% CI:1.38 to 12.95, P=0.01), polyphenols plus triple therapy versus triple therapy subgroup (RR 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.22, P=0.03).

Conclusion: Polyphenol compounds can improve H.pylori eradication rates. Polyphenol compounds plus standard triple therapy can significantly improve the eradication. However, no evidence of a higher incidence of side effects could be found.

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022307477

A systematic search was performed in the following eight databases with a restriction of time from inception to January 2022 to filter the eligible studies: PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Medline, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), and Wan Fang database.Two reviewersindependently extracted data from the included studies using a pre-designed data extraction tool. Any disagreements were resolved by negotiation and discussion. Any additional disagreements were arbitrated by a third reviewer.