Hepatoprotective efficacy of Shanxi aged vinegar extract against oxidative damage in vitro and in vivo

Shanxi aged vinegar, a traditional fermented food, has beneficial effects on human health. Shanxi aged vinegar extract (SAVE) is rich in antioxidant components, which can prevent free radical-induced diseases. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects and molecular mechanisms of SAVE on oxidative stress-induced liver damage in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that SAVE attenuated H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and exhibited protective activity in hepatocyte by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cell apoptosis. In addition, SAVE alleviated CCl4-induced liver damage in mice through inhibiting cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) expression, ROS generation and production of malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxyalkenals (4-HNE) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Moreover, SAVE protected against oxidative stress-induced liver damage by elevating antioxidant enzymes activities and glutathione level and upregulating Nrf2-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway. The findings suggest that SAVE exhibits hepatoprotective effect and could be a potential alternative for hepatic oxidative damage.