Polaprezinc, a complex of zinc ion and L-carnosine, is an antiulcer agent
launched in Japan. It is effective in promoting the healing of gastric ulcers in
addition to preventing ulcer relapse. In rat studies, polaprezinc reduces the
incidence of stomach lesions induced by ethanol. No effect was seen on
ultrastructural damage or on cell proliferation and it appears that polaprezinc
combines the cytoprotective effect of zinc with the ulcer healing properties of Lcarnosine.
The in vivo antioxidative properties of polaprezinc has been suggested
to be responsible for its protective effect against gastric mucosal injury.
Recent studies revealed that polaprezinc is an activator of bone formetion and
has inhibitory effect of bone resorption. This agent is thus able to prevent the
deterioration of bone metabolism indicating its potential usefulness in the treatment
of osteoporosis. Polaprezinc has also been claimed for the prophylaxis and
treatment of alcoholic hepatopathy, viral hepatitis or other hepatopathies caused by
certain drugs, poisons and radiation.
