Available online at www.medicinescience.org ORIGINAL RESEARCH Medicine Science 2019;8(4):814-9 Antioxidant effect of grape molasses in rat heart tissues Tugba Raika Kiran 1 , Onder Otlu 2 , Ercan Karabulut 3 , Ahu Pakdemirli 4 , Nermin Ozcan 1 1 Iskenderun Technical University Engineering and Faculty of Natural Sciences, Depatrment of Biomedical Engineering, Iskenderun, Turkey 2 Malatya Turgut Ozal University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Malatya, Turkey 3 Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Ankara, Turkey 4 Dokuz Eylul University, Vocational School of Health Services, Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Izmir, Turkey Received 26 Juny 2019; Accepted 17 August 2019 Available online 23.10.2019 with doi:10.5455/medscience.2019.08.9092 Copyright © 2019 by authors and Medicine Science Publishing Inc. Abstract Grape molasses, which is rich in mineral substances such as favonoids, polyphenol, antioxidants, iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium is a natural nutrient, that is concentrated with boiling without adding any additive. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of molasses and resveratrol diets on oxidative stress parameters in cardiac damage induced with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). A total of 42 Wistar albino female rats were divided into six groups with seven in each. Control group was administered subcutaneous injection of 1 mL mixture including 20 mL sesame oil + 30 mL Dimethyl Sulphoxyde (DMSO); DMBA group received subcutaneous injection of 10 mg/Kg DMBA on the 0th and 7th days. DMBA + Molasses group received DMBA application and feed containing 20 % molasses; DMBA + Resveratrol group received subcutaneous injection of DMBA + 10 mg/Kg resveratrol a day. Molasses group received feed with 20 % molasses, and Resveratrol group received subcutaneous injection of 10 mg/Kg resveratrol a day. There was a statistically signifcant difference between the DMBA group and DMBA + Molasses, control, resveratrol and molasses groups in terms of nitric oxide activity. There was a statistically signifcant difference between the DMBA group and DMBA + Resveratrol, DMBA + Molasses, control, molasses and resveratrol groups in term of malondialdehyde (MDA) activity. There was a statistically signifcant difference between DMBA groups, and DMBA + Molasses, DMBA + Resveratrol, and control groups in terms of glutathione (GSH) activity. Based on these results, it could be said that grape molasses could provide protection against oxidative stress as resveratrol, decreasing the risk of damage by free radicals. Keywords: Grape molasses, resveratrol, oxidative stress, DMBA, heart Medicine Science International Medical Journal 814 Introduction Today, while industrial developments greatly facilitate our lives, it cannot be ignored that it increases environmental pollution. Industrial pollutants negatively threaten our health through their negative effects on air, water, soil, and foods. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are released to nature during coke production, heating of residences and natural events such as forest fres and volcanoes, due to incomplete burning of fossil fuels, oils, tobacco and organic substances. Atmospheric transportation and accumulation of PAHs are commonly seen in the ecosystem [1]. PAHs that in the procarcinogen class are involved among carcinogens because of the suppression and inhibition of the immune system, their immunotoxic effects and formation of free radicals [2]. A PAH derivative, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene effects for humans and animals. DMBA contributes to the initiation of mutagenesis and carcinogenesis with cellular macromolecular (DMBA) is among the oldest atmospheric pollutants with its mutagenic, cytotoxic, carcinogenic and immunosuppressive damage by playing an active role in the formation of free radicals [3]. Free radicals are unstable and highly reactive molecules, that are formed by endogenous or exogenous sources in the cells, and carry uncompensated electrons on them. Free radicals include different species such as superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide, singlet oxygen, nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite. The most important radicals in biological systems are oxygen-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidant defense system decelerates or eliminates ROS-induced damage. However, oxidative stress occurs as a result of increased reactive oxygen species due to different reasons as well as the antioxidant mechanism that remain insuffcient [4]. Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenolic phytoalexin found in grapes, wine, peanuts, and blueberries, which shows antioxidant, anti-ischemic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti- hypertensive effects, anti-infammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties. Its heart-protective effect has been named as French *Coresponding Author: Tugba Raika Kiran, Iskenderun Technical University Engineering and Faculty of Natural Sciences, Depatrment of Biomedical Engineering, Iskenderun, Turkey E-mail: traika.kiran@iste.edu.tr