Bioactivity of Sesquiterpenes: Compounds that Protect from Alcohol-Induced Gastric Mucosal Lesions and Oxidative Damage

Sesquiterpene lactones of the guaianolide and eudermanolide types are considered of interest because they have an effect in the regulation and prevention of oxidative damage and inflammation-mediated biological damage. Dehydroleucodine, a natural sesquiterpene isolated from Artemisia douglasiana Besser, and ilicic aldehyde, a semi-synthetic sesquiterpene lactones, showed in vivo protection in ethanol-induced gastric mucosa damage. This action was determined by in situ gastric mucosa chemiluminescence and by tissue antioxidant content.