RESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIM: A number of in vitro and in vivo studies have investigated the potential preventive activity of grape extracts against different diseases, and have mostly focused on their antioxidant properties. The present study examined the effects of 21 extracts from stem, skin and berry from Greek grape varieties on the activity of enzymes involved in regulation of oxidative stress, namely xanthine oxidase (XO), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of the extracts on the enzymatic activity of XO, CAT and SOD were studied spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: The tested extracts inhibited CAT and XO activity, while higher extract concentrations are required to induce SOD. However, stem and skin extracts exhibited a different inhibitory pattern against CAT and XO compared to berry extracts. The observed differences are possibly attributed to the extract polyphenolic composition. CONCLUSION: Although the induction of SOD activity suggests an antioxidant capacity, the inhibition of CAT and XO indicates a pro-oxidant action. In general, the extracts showed pro-oxidant activity, possibly dependent on both their polyphenolic composition and concentration.
