GRAPE SEED EXTRACT
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Grape-seed extract may help skin wounds heal faster and with less scarring, a new study suggests.
The extract seemed to aid wound healing in two ways: It helped the body make more of a compound used to regenerate damaged blood vessels, and it also increased the amount of free radicals in the wound site. Free radicals help clear potentially pathogenic bacteria from a wound.
In two related experiments, the researchers tested the effects of grape-seed extract on mice and on human skin cells. It’s the first evidence suggesting that a natural extract could have such a profound effect on wound healing, said Chandan Sen, a study co-author and director the Laboratory of Molecular Medicine at Ohio State University’s Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute.
“We saw the healing effects grape-seed extract had on wounds from day one,” said Sen, who is also an assistant professor of surgery at Ohio State. “It seemed to enhance the formation of epidermal tissue as well as the deposition of connective tissue.”
The researchers treated skin wounds on mice with a topical formulation of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE). Proanthocyanidin, one of the main ingredients in grape-seed extract, is thought to be a potent antioxidant. But in a wound site, which is rich in free radicals, the extract assumes some pro-oxidant properties.
Each of nine mice in the study was given two small puncture wounds on its back. The researchers applied GSPE to one of the wounds, and covered the other with saline solution as a control. Otherwise, the wounds were left to heal naturally.
The animals were euthanized five days after they were wounded. A small area of skin – 1 to 1.5 millimeters – was excised from the edges of the treated and untreated wounds. The researchers looked for signs of enhanced healing in the GSPE-treated samples, and compared these samples to the healing patterns of the saline-treated tissue.
“There was a longer-lasting free radical effect in the wounds that had been treated with grape-seed extract. We think that’s partly why these wounds healed faster and better.” |
“The skin treated with grape-seed extract was further along in the healing process compared to the saline-treated tissue,” Sen said. “The extract-treated skin showed signs of healing faster and the newly formed tissue was denser, meaning that its structure was stronger.”
The researchers saw increased levels of tenascin, a protein that helps build connective tissue, in the granulation tissue of the wounds treated with GSPE. Granulation tissue is the rough, pinkish tissue that normally forms as a wound heals. It contains new capillaries and connective tissue.
“Tenascin is a marker for skin wound healing,” Sen said. “There was much more tenascin present in the granulation tissue of the wounds treated with GSPE.”
The researchers also noted increased levels of VEGF, the compound that helps the body rebuild blood vessels. In previous research, Sen and his colleagues found that GSPE helped turn on the gene responsible for initiating the making of VEGF.
In a related experiment, the researchers also treated human skin cells with GSPE, finding that the extract helped the laboratory-grown cells produce more VEGF.
“More VEGF means blood vessels will form faster and that more nutrients will be carried by the blood to regenerate damaged tissue,” Sen said.
In addition to helping blood vessels regenerate, GSPE also seemed to increase free radical levels at the wound site. It may seem odd that an antioxidant could help oxidation – the formation of free radicals – flourish. But
“The extract assumed a mild pro-oxidant property while in an oxidant-rich environment,” Sen said. “Excessive amounts of free radicals are damaging. But every living cell makes free radicals. In controlled amounts, they help the body function.”
At low concentrations, free radicals can stimulate the proliferation of cells as well as the formation of connective tissue and new blood vessels, Sen said.
“Skin wounds are rich in free radicals,” he said. “There was a longer-lasting free radical effect in the wounds that had been treated with grape-seed extract. We think that’s partly why these wounds healed faster and better.”
OPC's are bioflavonoids,
and are very powerful antioxidants. Bioflavonoids are parts of
plants that are actually assimilated into our body tissues when we consume them.
It was, in fact, this very ability that led to their discovery. OPC
bioflavonoids were first noticed in the laboratory because they have the uncanny
ability to strengthen blood vessel walls within hours after taking them. The
person responsible for their discovery was a French scientist named Dr. Jacques
Masquelier, who first tested bioflavonoid containing peanuts on lab animals and
discovered that their blood vessel walls would double in strength only hours
after eating them. His discovery was made in 1948. In 1951, this same doctor
extracted OPC's from pine bark, and patented the name, "pycnogenol" for this
extract.
In 1970, Dr, Masquelier obtained yet another patent for these grapeseed
bioflavonoids - a far more potent product, a powerful medicine indeed. If you
are intrigued by what OPC's are able to do to blood vessels and connective
tissues, you will be amazed at what they were discovered to accomplish in 1986.
Looking at that list, you may be sceptical, but OPC's have one underlying ability that was discovered by Dr. Masquelier in 1986, and that is the ability of Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins to scavenge free radicals from the body. Free radicals are simply oxygen atoms that are robbed of an electron through the body's natural metabolic processes.
If you exercise or smoke, you are exposed to higher levels of these free radicals than most people. Ironically, people who exercise are exposed to more free radicals than those who don't because they have faster, more vigorous metabolisms. Smokers, and second-hand smokers are bombarded by free radicals, because free radicals are also the product of pollutants (inefficient combustion).
The oxygen atom, which in a stable state has four pairs of electrons, becomes unstable when it loses an electron. An oxygen atom with seven electrons is referred to as a free radical. This name aptly describes its action in the body, too. Just as water pools, and vacuums are filled quickly in nature, free radicals quickly attach themselves to something - in this case body tissues - in order to stabilize themselves. What happens is the free radical takes an electron from the membrane of a body tissue and by doing so, produces yet another free radical, which then is obliged by its charge to seek out another electron - in your body. What results is a cascade of oxidations - literally rusting body tissues. This is such a pernicious and ubiquitous phenomenon in the body, that free radical oxidation has recently been proposed as the major source of chronic degenerative disease.
Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins, in fact anti-oxidants
in general, are structured in such a way that they are able to donate electrons
freely without altering their valence (their electrons are not paired) - what
this means is that anti-oxidants can stabilize free radicals without themselves
becoming dangerous. In fact, anti-oxidants will go about donating electrons
until they have no more; one anti-oxidant molecule is able to neutralize many
free radicals.
It is by the number of available electrons in a given anti-oxidant that we are
able to rate their effectiveness. If anti-oxidant A has twice the number of
available electrons as anti-oxidant B, then A is said to be twice as potent as
B. To put OPC's in perspective among other anti-oxidants, they are 20 times as
potent as Vitamin C, and 50 times as potent as Vitamin E (20 and 50 are nice
round numbers, but remember OPC's are a class of bioflavonoids, and these are
approximations).
As if to cement the necessity of including OPC's in our diets, The Lancet
recently released in a widely popularized study that lack of Vitamin E was a
more consistent predictor of heart disease than high cholesterol levels! The
Lancet, one of the world's top medical journals published their study
(randomized, double-blind) in their March 23, 1996 issue, results that indicated
low levels of Vitamin E to be predictive of heart attacks 62% of the time, while
high cholesterol was predictive only 29% of the time. It is believed that this
is due to Vitamin E's anti-oxidant properties. Grapeseed extract not only
scavanges free radicals on its own, but grapeseed OPC's donate electrons to
Vitamins C and E so these major players in the antioxidant orchestra can go on
doing their job longer.
Current research reported in December, 1998 by Dr. Lester Packer, Professor, Dept. of Molecular and Cell Biology, U. of CA., Berkeley, describes the "Antioxidant Network", where the central players appear to be vitamins C and E, which are regenerated by thiol antioxidants(sulfur-containing molecules such as glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid., )or by bioflavonoids containing OPC's. Dr. Packer not only believes that supplementation is called for, but states,
"Overwhelming data has now accumulated to indicate that antioxidants, acting in concert, can optimize health even beyond what has yet been achieved. This represents perhaps the next stage in our understanding of nutrition, where we go beyond merely trying to prevent deficiencies and move toward optimizing the levels of antioxidants so that we may experience optimal health and healthy aging."
Grape Seed OPC's have the ability to strengthen blood vessel walls, scavenge free radicals directly and by regenerating vitamins C and E, and contribute to over-all good health in many other ways.
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Grape Seed
Extract
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Grape Seed Extract is an herb that helps to protect cells from free radical damage while promoting healthy circulation. This is known as a powerful antioxidant similar in effect to the ever popular and patented Pycnogenol, but far less expensive. Grape Seed Extract is rich in polyphenols, a beneficial compound shown as being high in antioxidants that helps to improve circulation. People have been using grapes since ancient times not only for eating and drinking but for medicinal purposes as well. Different parts of the plant including the grapes themselves, the leaves, and the stems, have been used. It was not until the 1970’s when a French biochemist isolated from grape seed the substance called oligomeric proanthocyandin (OPC). This substance was said to improve blood circulation and to have some protective properties against heart disease. Experimental data does suggest that grape seed also has anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties and prevents the formation of plaque in the arteries. All of this information is great for cardiovascular health, but there have been no findings to indicate that it can aid in weight loss or exercise.
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Grape Seed Extract which is high in Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC’s or PCO’s) is powerful antioxidant which can reduce the damage done by free radicals, strengthen and repair connective tissue, and promote enzyme activity. OPC’s can also help moderate allergic and inflammatory responses by reducing histamine production.
ANTIOXIDANTS
Antioxidants are important protectors of health because
they provide electrons that neutralize "free radicals"--molecules with unpaired
electrons which have the power to cause degenerative and life-threatening
diseases.
Free radicals are produced from normal oxygen metabolism within the body, and
from exposure to certain chemicals, environmental pollutants, sunlight,
radiation, burns, cigarette smoke, drugs, alcohol, viruses, bacteria, parasites,
dietary fats, and more. The antioxidants known today are vitamins C and E, beta
carotene, selenium, bioflavonoids and bioflavanols.
| THE PCO
BIOFLAVANOID COMPLEX
SOURCES OF PCO
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Anti-Inflammatory
One of the first benefits of PCO observed by doctors as early as 1950 was its anti-inflammatory action. This is produced in part by the antioxidant effect, and by inhibiting the release and synthesis of certain compounds that promote inflammation, such as histamine, serine protease, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. PCO selectively binds to the connective tissue of joints, preventing swelling, helping heal damaged tissue, and lessening pain.
Anti-Histamine
The anti-histamine action of PCO is mediated by an inhibiting effect on the enzyme histidine decarboxylase which is responsible for the production of histamine. This is enhanced by PCO's ability to block hyaluronidase, the enzyme that facilitates the release of histamine into body tissues.
Anti-Allergic
This action is related to the antihistamine effect, as well as PCO's ability to strengthen cell membranes of basophils and mast cells, which contain the allergic chemicals, thus preventing over-reaction or hypersensitivity to pollens and food allergens. Many allergy sufferers have reported significant relief using grape seed extract.
Anti-Ulcer
Ulcers induced or aggravated by stress are known to be related to excessive secretion of histamine in the stomach lining. PCOs help heal ulcers by reducing histamine secretion and by binding to and protecting connective tissue in mucous membranes.
Cardiovascular Disease
Experimental studies have recently discovered that
oxidation of LDL cholesterol is a key factor leading to hardening of the
arteries and heart disease. The antioxidant effect of Vitamin E has been shown
to be a potent inhibitor of this oxidation—and PCO has been shown to be 50 times
more potent than vitamin E. PCO has also been shown to prevent the stickiness of
blood platelets that can lead to blood clots and strokes. Patients taking grape
seed extract PCO have reported reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Recent studies have shown that drinking wine has a protective effect against
heart disease (considered the solution to the mystery of how the French
population can indulge in a high-fat diet and have one of the world's lowest
incidences of heart disease). And in February of 1995, a study published in
"Circulation," the journal of the American Heart Association, showed that six
glasses of grape juice were as effective as two glasses of wine in preventing
heart disease. This study offers convincing evidence that PCO from grapes,
rather than the alcohol, provide wine's protective benefits to the circulatory
system.
Cancer Prevention
Although not a cure for cancer, experimental evidence has been available for a long time showing that antioxidants greatly reduce the incidence of all types of cancer. One study showed that the risk of developing cancer is 11.4 times greater for those with low levels of the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium. PCO is a more potent antioxident, and also protects cellular DNA from oxidative damage and cell mutations which can lead to cancer.
Teeth and Gums
Dentists and their patients have reported that PCO provides healing and preventive benefits to the teeth and gums, evidently through its anti-inflammatory effects, free radical deactivation, and connective tissue protection.
Eyes
Clinical studies have shown that antioxidants can halt cataract progression. PCO has a strong affinity for the portion of the retina that is responsible for visual acuity. It prevents free radical damage and reinforces the collagen structures of the retina. In clinical trials of patients with various types of retinal disease, including macular degeneration, all patients given PCO showed significant improvement following therapy. Health professionals monitoring the effects of PCO have reported that it also has helped in the prevention and treatment of glaucoma.
Skin Care
PCO products help protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation damage that leads to wrinkles and skin cancer. Because it stabilizes collagen and elastin, PCO can help improve the elasticity and youthfulness of the skin. PCO strengthens the connective tissue of the skin and fat chambers. People taking grape seed extract PCO have noticed that it helps tonify their skin and reduce cellulite, stretch marks, and old scars. There is speculation that cellulite may be a sign of bioflavanoid deficiency.
Nervous System
Some physicians have reported that patients with multiple
sclerosis (MS) have improved while taking PCO. MS is a syndrome of progressive
destruction and hardening of the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves.
Current research indicates that MS may be caused by an allergic or autoimmune
reaction. Many studies have demonstrated that patients with MS have reduced
activity levels of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase.
The ability of PCO to reduce the progressive symptoms of MS may be due to its
potent antioxidant and anti-allergic qualities. Plus, PCO has the ability to
cross the blood-brain barrier, where it may protect the brain's nervous tissue
from oxidation. This effect may explain why patients taking PCO often report
improved mental clarity.
Lungs
Asthma and emphysema have also been found to benefit from
the use of PCOs. Asthma is largely caused by an allergic reaction within the
bronchial tubes that leads to bronchial constriction and excessive mucous
excretion. Due to its ability to inhibit histamine and other inflammatory
chemicals, PCO has been found effective in the treatment of asthma.
Grape seed extract PCO has also been found to reduce the coughing, wheezing,
weakness, mucous and recurring respiratory infections usually associated with
emphysema.
Apparently, PCO reduces the inflammation and damage to the air sacs of emphysema patients.