Syzygium cumini (L.) skeels seed extract ameliorates in vitro and in vivo oxidative potentials of the brain cerebral cortex of alcohol-treated rats

We investigated the effect of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels seed extract on the oxidative stress of brain cortical tissues of alcohol-treated rats. The in vitro antioxidative effect of methnolic S. cumini seed extract was initially compared with those of the buytylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) and Vitamin C, by determining their DPPH-free radical scavenging activity. The S. cumini seed extract exhibited stronger free radical scavenging activity than those of the BHT and Vitamin C. Cortex homogenates were then directly incubated with 15% ethanol and/or Fenton's reagent (H2O2 + Fe2SO4) to induce in vitro oxidative stress in the absence or presence of S. cumini seed extract. The S. cumini seed extract significantly reduced the levels of lipid peroxide (LPO) in the cortical homogenates. Twenty four rats were then divided into four groups: Control, S. cumini seed extract (SE)-administered, 15% ethanol-fed (EtOH) and EtOH + SE rats. The oral administration of the extract (400 mg/kg BW.day) for 8 weeks significantly (P<0.05) decreased the levels of LPO in the cortex of the EtOH + SE rats, suggesting that S. cumini seed not only scavenged the DPPH-free radicals and obstructed the ethanol/Fenton's reagents-induced in vitro oxidative stress of the cortical tissues but also reduced their in vivo formation. These results suggest that S. cumini seed could be used as a potential antioxidant therapy for alcoholics.