Effect of dehydroleucodine on mucus production: a quantitative study.

We have demonstrated that dehydroleucodine (DhL), a lactone isolated from Artemisia douglasiana Besser, prevents gastroduodenal damage induced by necrosis-inducing agents such as absolute ethanol. We have also reported, in a qualitative study, that this effect is related to the ability of the drug to stimulate mucus production. The present study was designed to quantitatively evaluate the effect of DhL on adherent mucus layer thickness, to obtain a more objective approach to the mechanism of action of the drug. Mice were divided into two groups: (I) controls were treated with orally administered carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and (II) experimental animals received DhL in CMC. The thickness of the mucus gel layer was measured in unfixed stomachs and duodena, using an image analysis system. We observed an increase in the adherent mucus layer thickness in the experimental samples. This confirms that one of the main mechanisms involved in the cytoprotective action of the drug is mucus secretion.