Novel role of Zn(II)-curcumin in enhancing cell proliferation and adjusting proinflammatory cytokine-mediated oxidative damage of ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcers

► Ethanol consumption induces gastric ulcers and low levels of zinc. ► Zn(II)-curcumin was a metallocomplexes of curcumin, stimulated cell proliferation and blocked the ulcer lesions. ► Zn(II)-curcumin revealed more patent antioxidant than curcumin. ► Zn(II)-curcumin processes the anti-inflammatory effect by downregulation of TNF-α and IL-6. ► Zn(II)-curcumin enhanced mucosal barrier defenses by adjusting the proinflammatory cytokine-mediated oxidative damage.