摘要
Ethanol is a potential causative factor of gastric ulcers, which are associated with gastric injury and the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) is reportedly a benign antioxidant and boric acid is an effective medication in repairing deep wounds. In this work, a nanoparticle system that consists of potassium borohydride ionic nanocrystals (KBH 4 NCs) with a high H 2 storage capacity is developed for the treatment and prevention of ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice. H 2 -rich water (HRW) is used as a control. Since the evolution of gaseous H 2 from the HRW is abrupt, most of the evolved H 2 gas is lost to the surrounding environment before and during oral administration. By contrast, KBH 4 NCs can be trapped at the defect sites of ulcerated regions, reacting with the gastric fluid to generate sustainably gaseous H 2 and boric acid, mitigating oxidative stress and excessive inflammation in tissues and repairing the gastric injury. Additionally, the protection that is afforded by gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced damage is stronger in mice that have been pretreated with KBH 4 NCs than in those that have been pretreated with HRW, indicating the protective effect of KBH 4 NCs. Overall, the data suggest that the as-developed KBH 4 NCs are a promising oral formulation for the effective management of gastric ulcers.