Abstract

Background: Carotenoid lutein was evaluated for antiulcerogenic activity in rats.

Methods: Gastric ulcer was induced in fasted rats by oral administration of ethanol (95%) (5 mL/kg body weight). Lutein (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) was administered everyday for 5 days prior to alcohol administration.

Results: The ulcer index which is a measure of the severity of ulcers was found to be reduced in lutein-treated groups. Morphological and histopathological examination supported the protection of lutein during alcohol-induced damage in rat stomach. Antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, super oxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase as well as glutathione levels, which were found to be reduced in the gastric mucosa of alcohol-treated groups, were found to be elevated after lutein treatment.

Conclusions: The mechanism of antiulcer activity may be due to the inhibition of oxidative stress produced by alcohol by lutein administration. These findings suggest the potential therapeutic use of lutein as an effective antiulcer agent.