Hepatoprotective Effect of Red Grape Seed Extracts Against Ethanol-Induced Cytotoxicity

The hepatoprotective activity of red grape seed extracts (GSEs) was investigated against ethanol-induced cytotoxicity. In this study, liver slice culture model was used to demonstrate hepatoprotective activity of two GSEs (water and ethanol) in vitro. The hepatoprotective activity was evaluated by measuring the levels of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase) in liver slice culture. The results revealed that the pre-treatment or treatment along of liver slices with water and ethanol grape seed extracts, significantly inhibited the ethanol-induced oxidative stress in the liver by suppressing lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation. Parallel to these changes, the GSEs prevented the ethanol induced increases in the LDH leakage from liver cells and maintained the levels of antioxidant enzymes. The ethanol grape seed extract (EGSE) was more effective than water grape seed extract (WGSE) against hepatotoxicity of alcohol. Hepatoprotective activity of the grape seed extracts could be attributed to the antioxidant effect of the constituents and enhanced antioxidant defenses.