In Vitro-Derived Vitis labrusca var. Isabella Juices Restore Intestinal Epithelial Integrity via Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Actions

Featured Application: These findings support the use of Vitis labrusca var. Isabella cell-culture juices as natural products with beneficial potential in gut inflammatory disorders, offering a renewable and scalable support to conventional anti-inflammatory agents. Inflammatory bowel disease is characterised by chronic mucosal inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired epithelial barrier function. Current therapies primarily suppress inflammation but do not effectively restore epithelial integrity. In this study, we established in vitro cell cultures of Vitis labrusca var. Isabella to obtain juices that were chemically characterised and assessed for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in human intestinal epithelial cell lines (i.e., Caco-2). Chemical analysis revealed variable levels of stilbenoids, including trans-resveratrol and resveratrol diglucosides depending on culture conditions. The suspension-derived juice grown in darkness (SVMD) significantly reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced IL-1β and TNF-α release and mitigated oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells by lowering levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species. In Caco-2 monolayers infected with Salmonella enterica, SVMD preserved transepithelial electrical resistance, indicating protection of epithelial barrier integrity, without exerting direct antibacterial effects. These findings demonstrate that V. labrusca cell-culture juices exert potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions and promote epithelial protection through modulation of redox balance. Overall, this study highlights the potential of sustainable cell-culture-derived materials as promising natural products for supporting intestinal homeostasis and managing gut inflammatory disorders.