Description
Grape Seed Extract
(OPC’s, Oligomeric proanthocyanidins)
Protect Yourself From Cancer, Heart Disease, and Diabetes with One of Nature’s Most Potent Antioxidants
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC’s), found in many plants but primarily in grape seed extract and pine bark, is a potent antioxidant with 50 times more antioxidant power than vitamin E and 20 times more than vitamin C. 2,3,19 Grape Seed Extract has more of the active ingredient, proanthocyanidins, than products extracted from pine bark.1
Studies performed over the last 25 years have demonstrated that OPC’s exert the following effects.
Grape Seed Extract (OPC’s) may prevent heart disease through a variety of mechanisms including :
- potent antioxidant effects 5-14
- vaso-relaxant effects (relaxes blood vessels) 13,15-16, 26
- decreasing platelet “stickiness” 17-18
- protects again myocardial reperfusion injury 19
- limits LDL oxidation 8, 20-25
- improves microcirculation 13, 27-28
- anti-inflammatory effects 11, 29-31
- strengthens blood vessels (useful in chronic venous insufficiency) 32-37
Grape Seed Extract (OPC’s) may be useful in both cancer prevention and treatment because of its antioxidant effects
- help prevent cancerous cellular changes (5-14)
- anti-carcinogenic and chemoprotective effects (10,14,19, 38)
- inducing apoptosis in cancer cells (cell death) (39-41,58)
- decreasing toxicity of many cancer drugs (10,19, 42-47)
- potentiates (increases) the effect of some cancer drugs while decreasing toxicity (44, 47-49)
Because OPC’s help strengthen collagen (50-54) which may increase elasticity of skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments many people take grape seed extract as part of their skin rejuvenation program.
Grape Seed Extract has anti-histamine properties (it stabilizes the release of histamine from mast cells). (55-57) Grape seed extract can be used like an antihistamine but without any of the typical drug-antihistamine side effects such as drowsiness.
Because of its many actions, Grape seed extract (OPC’s) may also be useful for:
- arthritis (anti-inflammatory and collagen strengthening)
- respiratory allergies (antihistamine)
- food allergies (antihistamine)
- ADHD (many cases are allergy-related)
- longevity and rejuvenation programs (blood viscosity and collagen-strengthening effects)
Suggested Dose: 50 to 100 mg grape seed extract, 2-3 times per day with meals.
Each one (1) Capsule contains:
Grape seed extract 100 mg
Grape skin extract 100 mg
References
1.) SUMMARY OF DATA FOR CHEMICAL SELECTION
Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins from Grape Seeds and Pine Bark. National Institutes of Health, 2000.http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/Chem_Background/ExSumPdf/GrapeSeeds_PineBark.pdf
2.) Bagchi D, Garg A, Krohn RL, Bagchi M, Tran MX, Stohs SJ. Oxygen free radical scavenging abilities of vitamins C and E, and a grape seed proanthocyanidin extract in vitro. Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 1997 Feb;95(2):179-89.
3.) Shi J, Yu J, Pohorly JE, Kakuda Y. Polyphenolics in grape seeds-biochemistry and functionality.J Med Food. 2003 Winter;6(4):291-9.
4.) Barden CA, Chandler HL, Lu P, Bomser JA, Colitz CM. Effect of grape polyphenols on oxidative stress in canine lens epithelial cells. Am J Vet Res. 2008 Jan;69(1):94-100.
5.) Dulundu E, Ozel Y, Topaloglu U, Toklu H, Ercan F, Gedik N, Sener G. Grape seed extract reduces oxidative stress and fibrosis in experimental biliary obstruction.J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007 Jun;22(6):885-92.
6.) Du Y, Guo H, Lou H. Grape seed polyphenols protect cardiac cells from apoptosis via induction of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Mar 7;55(5):1695-701. Epub 2007 Feb 13.
7.) Zhang FL, Gao HQ, Shen L. Inhibitory effect of GSPE on RAGE expression induced by advanced glycation end products in endothelial cells. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2007 Oct;50(4):434-40.
8.) Yang HM, Liao MF, Zhu SY, Liao MN, Rohdewald P. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on the effect of Pycnogenol on the climacteric syndrome in peri-menopausal women. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2007;86(8):978-85.
9.) Lorenz P, Roychowdhury S, Engelmann M, Wolf G, Horn TF.Oxyresveratrol and resveratrol are potent antioxidants and free radical scavengers: effect on nitrosative and oxidative stress derived from microglial cells.Nitric Oxide. 2003 Sep;9(2):64-76.
10.) Bagchi D, Bagchi M, Stohs S, Ray SD, Sen CK, Preuss HG. Cellular protection with proanthocyanidins derived from grape seeds. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002 May;957:260-70.
11.) Hosseini S, Pishnamazi S, Sadrzadeh SM, Farid F, Farid R, Watson RR. Pycnogenol((R)) in the Management of Asthma.J Med Food. 2001 Winter;4(4):201-209.
12.) Carini M, Aldini G, Bombardelli E, Morazzoni P, Maffei Facino R.UVB-induced hemolysis of rat erythrocytes: protective effect of procyanidins from grape seeds. Life Sci. 2000 Sep 1;67(15):1799-814.
13.) Packer L, Rimbach G, Virgili F.Antioxidant activity and biologic properties of a procyanidin-rich extract from pine (Pinus maritima) bark, pycnogenol.Free Radic Biol Med. 1999 Sep;27(5-6):704-24.
14.) Zhao J, Wang J, Chen Y, Agarwal R. Anti-tumor-promoting activity of a polyphenolic fraction isolated from grape seeds in the mouse skin two-stage initiation-promotion protocol and identification of procyanidin B5-3′-gallate as the most effective antioxidant constituent. Carcinogenesis. 1999 Sep;20(9):1737-45.
15.) Edirisinghe I, Burton-Freeman B, Tissa Kappagoda C. Mechanism of the endothelium-dependent relaxation evoked by a grape seed extract. Clin Sci (Lond). 2008 Feb;114(4):331-7.
16.) Mendes A, Desgranges C, Chèze C, Vercauteren J, Freslon JL. Vasorelaxant effects of grape polyphenols in rat isolated aorta. Possible involvement of a purinergic pathway. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2003 Dec;17(6):673-81.
17.) Polagruto JA, Gross HB, Kamangar F, Kosuna K, Sun B, Fujii H, Keen CL, Hackman RM.Platelet reactivity in male smokers following the acute consumption of a flavanol-rich grapeseed extract. Platelet reactivity in male smokers following the acute consumption of a flavanol-rich grapeseed extract. J Med Food. 2007 Dec;10(4):725-30.
18.) Holt RR, Actis-Goretta L, Momma TY, Keen CL. Dietary flavanols and platelet reactivity.J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2006;47 Suppl 2:S187-96;discussion S206-9.
19.) Bagchi D, Bagchi M, Stohs SJ, Das DK, Ray SD, Kuszynski CA, Joshi SS, Pruess HG. Free radicals and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract: importance in human health and disease prevention. Toxicology. 2000 Aug 7;148(2-3):187-97.
20.) da Silva Porto PA, Laranjinha JA, de Freitas VA. Antioxidant protection of low density lipoprotein by procyanidins: structure/activity relationships.Biochem Pharmacol. 2003 Sep 15;66(6):947-54.
21.) Stevens JF, Miranda CL, Wolthers KR, Schimerlik M, Deinzer ML, Buhler DR. Identification and in vitro biological activities of hop proanthocyanidins: inhibition of nNOS activity and scavenging of reactive nitrogen species. J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Jun 5;50(12):3435-43.
22.) Rifici VA, Schneider SH, Khachadurian AK.Lipoprotein oxidation mediated by J774 murine macrophages is inhibited by individual red wine polyphenols but not by ethanol. J Nutr. 2002 Sep;132(9):2532-7.
23.) Ivanov V, Carr AC, Frei B. Red wine antioxidants bind to human lipoproteins and protect them from metal ion-dependent and -independent oxidation. J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Sep;49(9):4442-9.
24.) Frémont L, Belguendouz L, Delpal S. Antioxidant activity of resveratrol and alcohol-free wine polyphenols related to LDL oxidation and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Life Sci. 1999;64(26):2511-21.
25.) Folts JD. Potential health benefits from the flavonoids in grape products on vascular disease. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2002;505:95-111.
26.) Zenebe W, Pechanova O. Effects of red wine polyphenolic compounds on the cardiovascular system.Bratisl Lek Listy. 2002;103(4-5):159-65.
27.) Hozumi T, Sugioka K, Shimada K, Kim SH, Kuo MY, Miyake Y, Fujimoto K, Otsuka R, Watanabe H, Hosoda K, Yoshikawa J, Homma S. Beneficial effect of short term intake of red wine polyphenols on coronary microcirculation in patients with coronary artery disease. Heart. 2006 May;92(5):681-2.
28.) Shimada K, Watanabe H, Hosoda K, Takeuchi K, Yoshikawa J. Effect of red wine on coronary flow-velocity reserve. Lancet. 1999 Sep 18;354(9183):1002.
29.) Terra X, Valls J, Vitrac X, Mérrillon JM, Arola L, Ardèvol A, Bladé C, Fernandez-Larrea J, Pujadas G, Salvadó J, Blay M. Grape-seed procyanidins act as antiinflammatory agents in endotoxin-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages by inhibiting NFkB signaling pathway. J Agric Food Chem. 2007 May 30;55(11):4357-65. Epub 2007 Apr 27.
30.) Zhang WY, Liu HQ, Xie KQ, Yin LL, Li Y, Kwik-Uribe CL, Zhu XZ. Procyanidin dimer B2 [epicatechin-(4beta-8)-epicatechin] suppresses the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in endotoxin-treated monocytic cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2006 Jun 23;345(1):508-15. Epub 2006 Apr 27.
31.) Lau BH, Riesen SK, Truong KP, Lau EW, Rohdewald P, Barreta RA. Pycnogenol as an adjunct in the management of childhood asthma. J Asthma. 2004;41(8):825-32.
32.) Dartenuc JY, Marache P, Choussat H. Resistance Capillaire en Geriatrie Etude d’un Microangioprotecteur. Bordeax Médical 1980;13:903–7 [in French].
33.) Delacroix P. Etude en Double Avengle de l’Endotelon dans l’Insuffisance Veineuse Chronique. Therapeutique, la Revue de Medicine 1981;Sept 27–28:1793–1802 [in French]. 34.) Thebaut JF, Thebaut P, Vin F. Study of Endotelon in functional manifestations of peripheral venous insufficiency. Gazette Medicale 1985;92:96–100 [in French].
35.) Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Rohdewald P, Pellegrini L, Ledda A, Vinciguerra G, Ricci A, Gizzi G, Ippolito E, Fano F, Dugall M, Acerbi G, Cacchio M, Di Renzo A, Hosoi M, Stuard S, Corsi M. Rapid relief of signs/symptoms in chronic venous microangiopathy with pycnogenol: a prospective, controlled study. Angiology. 2006 Oct-Nov;57(5):569-76.
36.) Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Rohdewald P, Pellegrini L, Ledda A, Vinciguerra G, Ricci A, Gizzi G, Ippolito E, Fano F, Dugall M, Acerbi G, Cacchio M, Di Renzo A, Hosoi M, Stuard S, Corsi M.Comparison of Pycnogenol and Daflon in treating chronic venous insufficiency: a prospective, controlled study. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2006 Apr;12(2):205-12.
37.) Koch R. Comparative study of Venostasin and Pycnogenol in chronic venous insufficiency. Phytother Res. 2002 Mar;16 Suppl 1:S1-5.
38.) Buz’Zard AR, Lau BH.Pycnogenol reduces talc-induced neoplastic transformation in human ovarian cell cultures. Phytother Res. 2007 Jun;21(6):579-86.
39.) Engelbrecht AM, Mattheyse M, Ellis B, Loos B, Thomas M, Smith R, Peters S, Smith C, Myburgh K. Proanthocyanidin from grape seeds inactivates the PI3-kinase/PKB pathway and induces apoptosis in a colon cancer cell line. Cancer Lett. 2007 Dec 8;258(1):144-53. Epub 2007 Oct 17.
40.) Hu H, Qin YM. Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract induced mitochondria-associated apoptosis in human acute myeloid leukaemia 14.3D10 cells. Chin Med J (Engl). 2006 Mar 5;119(5):417-21.
41.) Kaur M, Agarwal R, Agarwal C. Grape seed extract induces anoikis and caspase-mediated apoptosis in human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells:possible role of ataxia telangiectasia mutated-p53 activation. Mol Cancer Ther. 2006 May;5(5):1265-74.
42.) Cheng KW, Wu Q, Zheng ZP, Peng X, Simon JE, Chen F, Wang M.Inhibitory effect of fruit extracts on the formation of heterocyclic amines.J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Dec 12;55(25):10359-65. Epub 2007 Nov 16.
43.) Han Y. Synergic effect of grape seed extract with amphotericin B against disseminated candidiasis due to Candida albicans.Phytomedicine. 2007 Nov;14(11):733-8. Epub 2007 Oct 3.
44.) Zhang XY, Li WG, Wu YJ, Bai DC, Liu NF. Proanthocyanidin from grape seeds enhances doxorubicin-induced antitumor effect and reverses drug resistance in doxorubicin-resistant K562/DOX cells. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2005 Mar;83(3):309-18.
45.) Joshi SS, Kuszynski CA, Bagchi D.The cellular and molecular basis of health benefits of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract. Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2001 Jun;2(2):187-200.
46.) Joshi SS, Kuszynski CA, Benner EJ, Bagchi M, Bagchi D. Amelioration of the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents by grape seed proanthocyanidin extract. Antioxid Redox Signal. 1999 Winter;1(4):563-70.
47.) Joshi SS, Kuszynski CA, Bagchi M, Bagchi D. Chemopreventive effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on Chang liver cells.Toxicology. 2000 Nov 30;155(1-3):83-90.
48.) Sharma G, Tyagi AK, Singh RP, Chan DC, Agarwal R.Synergistic anti-cancer effects of grape seed extract and conventional cytotoxic agent doxorubicin against human breast carcinoma cells.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2004 May;85(1):1-12.
49.) Zhang XY, Li WG, Wu YJ, Zheng TZ, Li W, Qu SY, Liu NF.Proanthocyanidin from grape seeds potentiates anti-tumor activity of doxorubicin via immunomodulatory mechanism.Int Immunopharmacol. 2005 Jul;5(7-8):1247-57. Epub 2005 Apr 7.
50.) Schlebusch H, Kern D. Stabilization of collagen by polyphenols. Angiologica 1972;9:248–56 [in German].
51.) Monboisse J, Braquet P, Randoux A, Borel J. Non-enzymatic degradation of acid-soluble calf skin collagen by superoxide ion:protective effect of flavonoids. Biochem Pharmacol 1983;32:53–8.
52.) Lagrue G, Olivier-Martin F, Grillot A. A study of the effects of procyanidol oligomers on capillary resistance in hypertension and in certain nephropathies. Sem Hop 1981;57:1399–401 [in French].
53.) Galley P, Thiollet M. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a new veno-active flavonoid fraction (S 5682) in the treatment of symptomatic capillary fragility. Int Angiol 1993;12:69–72.
54.) Cho HS, Lee MH, Lee JW, No KO, Park SK, Lee HS, Kang S, Cho WG, Park HJ, Oh KW, Hong JT.Anti-wrinkling effects of the mixture of vitamin C, vitamin E, pycnogenol and evening primrose oil, and molecular mechanisms on hairless mouse skin caused by chronic ultraviolet B irradiation. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2007 Oct;23(5):155-62.
55.) Iwasaki Y, Matsui T, Arakawa Y. The protective and hormonal effects of proanthocyanidin against gastric mucosal injury in Wistar rats. J Gastroenterol. 2004 Sep;39(9):831-7.
56.) Kawai M, Hirano T, Higa S, Arimitsu J, Maruta M, Kuwahara Y, Ohkawara T, Hagihara K, Yamadori T, Shima Y, Ogata A, Kawase I, Tanaka T. Flavonoids and related compounds as anti-allergic substances. Allergol Int. 2007 Jun;56(2):113-23. Epub 2007 Mar 1.
57.) Sharma SC, Sharma S, Gulati OP. Pycnogenol inhibits the release of histamine from mast cells. Phytother Res. 2003 Jan;17(1):66-9.
58.) Agarwal C, Singh RP, Agarwal R. Grape seed extract induces apoptotic death of human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells via caspases activation accompanied by dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release. Carcinogenesis. 2002 Nov;23(11):1869-76.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.