Gastric anti-ulcer activity of several alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in rats

The gastric cytoprotective activity of several molecules containing an alph a,beta-unsaturated carbonyl system is reported. We attributed this gastropr otective activity to the presence of a non-hindered Michael acceptor in the molecules assayed and suggested that the mechanism of protection would inv olve, at least in part, a nucleophilic attack of the sulphydryl group of th e gastric mucosa to the beta carbon of the Michael accepters of the compoun ds assayed.