The pathological process of acetic acid gastric ulcer in rats is similar to that in human. The present study investigated the in vivo curative effect of astaxanthin against acetic acid induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. The rats were treated with acetic acid according to the method of painting acetic acid. The oral administration of astaxanthin (5,10 and 25mg/kg of body weight) showed significant curative effect on acetic acid gastric ulcer and inhibited elevation of the lipid peroxide level in gastric mucosa, and increase in the activity of radical scavenging enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxides. A histological examination clearly indicated that the acute gastric mucosal lesion induced by acetic acid nearly disappeared after treated with astaxanthin.
