Latin Name in Botany Vitis Vinifera L.

English Name in Botany Grape

Family Vitaceae

Genus Vitis

The Used Part Seed

Introduction

Grape Seed extract is an extract from the seed of grapes. The seed is left over from the production of wine or juice are harvested, ground and extracted. They have a high content of compounds known as OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins). Since French researcher, Dr. Jack Masquelier isolated OPCs from peanut skin in 1947, OPCs is found in many plants and has been declared to be a potent antioxidant of non-toxic, non-mutagenic, non-carcinogenic, and free of side effects according to a review of numerous researches.

Character

Reddish brown powder with grape fragrance, tastes astringent;

Available Specification

Proanthocyanidins 95% UV

Polyphenols 40%-80% UV

Pharmacological function

1. Cardiovascular Diseases

Researches have assured that OPCs helps strengthen capillaries, arteries and veins, which endows it several important clinical applications. OPCs appear to stabilize the walls of blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and generally support tissues containing collagen and elastin.

2. Aging/Alzheimer Disease

Because OPCs can easily pass the Blood-Brain Barrier, it can effectively inhibit the damage that free radicals do to the brain organism, so that Alzheimer Disease is prevented and reversed.

3. Skin Care

Because of its antioxidant activity, OPCs is thought to prevent the skin from excessive ultraviolet radiation and free radicals. Considerable evidences indicate that OPCs protects and strengthens collagen and elastin of the skin, so that wrinkle is prevented and elasticity of the skin is kept. OPCs in cream form are a popular treatment for aging skin, on the theory that by repairing elastin and collagen they will return skin to a more youthful appearance.

4. Anti-cancer, Anti-inflammation and Anti- allergic Activity

Since free radicals play a vital role in tumor formation, OPCs is reasonably used for its anti-cancer activity. Also for its inhibition of inflammatory factors such as PG, 5-HT and Leukotriene, as well as selective binding to connective tissue of the joints to relieve pain and swelling, OPCs is helpful for kinds of arthritis. The anti-allergic activity of OPCs is thought to be the result of anti-histamine. Compared with other anti-allergic drugs, OPCs has the same efficacy and does not have the same side effects such as drowsiness.

Dosage

As like vitamin C or vitamin E as the antioxidants used, the daily intake of 50 mlOPCs sufficient. If a higher dose of 150-300 ml daily intake is mainly for the treatment of specific diseases such as varicose veins, and so on.

Safety

OPCs have been many test their safety and was considered to be non-toxic. Very few side effects, but have also seen a slight chance of allergic reaction and dyspepsia. In any case, the young, pregnant or postpartum women and other liver and kidney disease patients not yet established a safe dose. When the high-dose use, OPCs may have some anticoagulant properties, and only a doctor can be under the supervision of the blood thinner drug use. When the use of the (warfarin), heparin, look Trental (Pentoxifylline) or aspirin, large doses of OPCs may lead to massive bleeding risk.