Modulation of ethanol-induced P450 enzyme activities and antioxidants in mice by Hordeum vulgare extract

Abstract

The effects of methanol extract of barely (Hordeum vulgare) on alcohol-induced damages of liver were investigated in male ICR mice. Mice were divided into three groups, control, ethanol, and ethanol plus 0.15% of barley extract. After four weeks of ethanol feeding, ethanol group significantly increased the P450 content, CYP2E1 and CYP1A2 enzyme activities, whereas ethanol plus barely group markedly decreased to levels similar to control group. Catalase activity in ethanol group was significantly lower than that in control group; however, ethanol plus barely group stimulated catalase activity as well as SOD activity significantly. These results indicated that barely extract modulated P450 enzymes for ethanol-induced liver damage and might be useful in developing functional food for alcoholic liver damage.