Effect of grape seed extract on hepatic function and antioxidant status of Mouse bearing Ehrlich Ascites carcinoma and exposed to gamma radiation

Grape seed extract (GSE), rich in bioactive phytochemicals commonly known as procyanidins, is one of the most commonly consumed dietary supplements in USA and Europe due to its several health benefits. The present study was performed to investigate the anti- tumor effect of GSE on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells (EAC)-induced oxidative stress, hepatic dysfunction and histopathological changes in the liver of albino mouse. GSE was orally administered to mice for 5 consecutive days at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight before and after tumor inoculation. On the 5th day of tumor inoculation, animals were exposed to 1 Gy whole body gamma radiation. The anti-tumor effect of GSE was evident in terms of a significant reduction in tumor viable cells count and increased non-viable cells count of EAC-tumor bearing mice. Biochemical investigations showed that EAC cells led to hepatic disturbances in liver function profile. Oral administration of GSE, with or without subsequent gamma irradiation, improved liver functions through a significant recovery of the elevated levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) in the EAC-bearing mice groups. The results of the present study revealed that, pretreatment of mice with GSE induced a significant reduction of lipid peroxidation and significant improvement in glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase as well as glutathione peroxidase activities in liver compared with those EAC damaged mice. Histopathological studies showed that EAC cells caused fatty degeneration, enlargement of liver cells nuclei and presence of necrosis. Pretreatment of animals with GSE exhibited protection justified by the results of the biochemical studies. It could be concluded that GSE administrated to mice, with or without subsequent gamma irradiation, exhibited anti-tumor effect reflected by improving liver function profile, modulating lipid peroxidation and augmenting antioxidant defense system in EAC bearing mice