Protective Effects of Vitis coignetiae Vine Stem Extract Against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice

Vitis coignetiae Pulliat ex Planch, commonly referred to as “meoru” in Korea (crimson glory vine), is a grape species belonging to the Vitaceae family, native to East Asia. This study investigated the protective effects of a hot water extract prepared from the vine stems of V. coignetiae (CG) in a model of CCl4-induced acute liver injury. Mice received oral administration of CG (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) or silymarin (200 mg/kg) once daily for 7 consecutive days, followed by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (0.5 mL/kg). CG attenuated CCl4-induced oxidative stress, as indicated by reduced hepatic malondialdehyde production and decreased 4-hydroxynonenal-positive cells. These effects were accompanied by restoration of antioxidant defense systems, including increased glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, along with increased nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA expression. Hepatic inflammatory responses were also attenuated by CG treatment, with reductions in TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 levels, inflammatory cell infiltration, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mRNA expression. Furthermore, CG attenuated apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by decreased cleaved caspase-3-positive and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-positive cells. CG also lowered serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transferase levels, and alleviated hepatocellular degeneration in histopathological analysis. Collectively, these findings suggest that CG may exert protective effects against CCl4-induced liver injury by regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.