Grape seed extract: chemical composition and potential health benefits

General Description

Besides being a wellspring for vitamins and fibre, grape seed extract are highly rich in Polyphenols specifically proanthocyanidins, which can be used as a functional ingredient to address various health issues by boosting the natural bio-processes of the body. Since, grape seed extract are by product of wine making companies therefore can be easily procured. Through different and various studies, it was proved that the proanthocyanidin rich grape seed extract provides benefits against many diseases i.e. inflammation, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, peptic ulcer, microbial infections, etc. Therefore, beside from using it as a nutraceutical or cosmeceutical, as a result they may have a potential to substitute or complement in currently used drugs in the treatment of diseases by developing it into other successful pharmaceutical formulations for better future prospective.

Figure 1. Grape seed extract

Chemical composition

Grape seed extract (GSE) is obtained from grape seeds through a series of processes. Firstly, the grape seeds are manually separated from the grapes and air-dried in the shade for one week. Then, they are ground into a fine powder. The powdered grape seed is macerated in 70% ethanol solution for three days at room temperature, followed by filtration. The filtrate is dried to remove the ethanol, resulting in powdered grape seed extract. The chemical composition of dried grape seeds includes approximately 35% fiber, along with 29% extractable components such as phenolic compounds, proteins (11%), minerals (3%), and water (7%). GSE is particularly rich in polyphenols, which have gained attention due to their antioxidant properties and ability to scavenge free radicals. Grape seed polyphenols exhibit higher antioxidant activity than other well-known antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and β-carotene. Additionally, GSE contains important fatty acids such as linoleic acid, linolenic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid, which play significant roles in lipid metabolism. Grape seeds and peels are also rich in dietary fiber, which contributes to a lower risk of colon cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Overall, Grape seed extract offers a rich source of beneficial compounds, including polyphenols, fatty acids, enzymes, and dietary fiber, which contribute to its antioxidant properties and potential health benefits. ¹

Health benefits

Wound healing activity

Angiogenesis process is stimulated by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor which is the most effective growth factor involved in the process of healing of wounds. VEGF is a signal glycoprotein produced by the cells, also known as Vascular Permeability Factor. In angiogenesis VEGF stimulates the migration and reproduction of epithelial cell. VEGF and angiogenesis are two most important factors for the cutaneous wound repair regulation. Grape seed extract contains polyphenyl phenolic bioflavonoids, proanthocyanidins which accelerates the process of wound healing. Proanthocyanidins specifically induces the expression of VEGF in human keratinocytes cells responsible for wound healing. Some epidemiologic studies demonstrated that the phenolic compound present in grape seed extract decreases the endothelial contraction of vessels, activate nitric oxide synthesis, control platelet aggregation and prevent LDL cholesterol oxidation. ²

Cardiovascular activity

Many epidemiological studies were performed which suggest that the consumption of grapes rich in polyphenols decreases the cardiovascular mortality. There are many mechanisms by which GSE prevent the atherosclerosis, including inhibition or limit the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), lowering the blood pressure, reducing inflammation, inhibition of the platelet aggregation, and activating some proteins which prevents the cell senescence. The in vitro and in vivo study provides evidence that there is a relation between presence of antioxidant phenolics and the reduction of oxidized LDL particles and consumption of diets rich in phenolic antioxidant reduced the rate of occurrence of cardiac disease. The capability of the (poly)phenols present in GSE avert radical oxidation of the polyunsaturated fatty acids of LDL, which occurs frequently through oxidative modification of the apoprotein toward an atherogenic form, has a direct follow up on the prevention of CVD. It was observed that GSE inhibits the progression of mean maximum CIMT and decreases the size of carotid plaque in patients. Thus, it was concluded that the GSE loaded with proanthocyanidin has atherogenic effects. ³

Reference

1. Gupta M, Dey S, Marbaniang D, Pal P, Ray S, Mazumder B. Grape seed extract: having a potential health benefits. J Food Sci Technol, 2020, 57(4):1205-1215.

2. Sandoo A, van Zanten JJ, Metsios GS, Carroll D, Kitas GD. The endothelium and its role in regulating vascular tone. Open Cardiovasc Med J, 2010, 4:302-12.

3. Costa A, Pegas PES, Assumpcao EC, et al. Assessment of clinical effects and safety of an oral supplement based on Marine protein, vitamin C, grape seed extract, Zinc & tomato extract in the improvement of visible signs of skin aging in men. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol, 2015, 8:319–328.