Descripton
Grape Seed (skin) extract is an extract from the seed (skin)s of grapes. The seed (skin) s 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.

Function:

The antioxidant capacity of Grape Seed (skin) Extract comes from proanthocyanidins (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) (OPCs). With an antioxidant power 20 times stronger than Vitamin C and 50 times stronger than Vitamin E [20], OPCs is known as a powerful antioxidant to neutralize free radicals, which play a major role in degenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, impaired vision, sun damage and premature aging.

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. [14]

1). Atherosclerosis:

It has been proved that the oxidation of LDL plays an important role in atherosclerosis. By its excellent antioxidant activity, OPCs eliminates damages that free radicals, as well as collagenase and elastinase do to the arteries, thus prevents or reverses atherosclerosis. Animal evidence suggested that OPCs could slow or reverse atherosclerosis. [29,32]

2). Venous Insufficiency (Varicose Veins)

Varicose Veins refers to the situation when blood pools in the legs, causing pain, heaviness, swelling, fatigue, and unsightly visible veins. By strengthening capillary and reduce capillary osmosis, OPCs can relieve the pain and swelling of venous insufficiency. [8,9,10] For the same reason, OPCs is recommended as a treatment for hemorrhoids as well. There is also some evidence that OPCs can be useful for the swelling that often follows injuries or surgery. [11,12,13] OPCs appear to speed the disappearance of swelling, by strengthening damaged blood and lymph vessels that are leaking fluid.

A double-blind placebo-controlled study of 92 subjects found that OPCs, taken at a dose of 100 mg 3 times daily,

significantly improved major symptoms, including heaviness, swelling, and leg discomfort. [21] Over a period of 1 m

onth, 75% of the participants treated with OPCs improved substantially. Another placebo-controlled study that enrolled 364

individuals with varicose veins also found that treatment with OPCs produced results superior to those of placebo. [22]

3). Retinopathy/Vision Improvement

The capacity of OPCs in strengthening capillary and reduce capillary osmosis is effective for patients suffering from stroke
and retinopathy. OPCs has been proved to improve retinopathy caused by diabetics, atherosclerosis, inflammation and
aging. It has also been reported that OPCs can speed vision recovery after strong light, and improve vision acuity of those
who suffer from eye fatigue because of long-time computer using.

A 6-week, controlled (but not blinded) study evaluated the ability of grape seed (skin) OPCs to improve night vision in normal subjects. [27,28] In this trial of 100 healthy volunteers, those who received 200 mg per day of OPCs showed improvements in night vision and glare recovery as compared to untreated subjects.

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. [14,19] 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: For use as a general antioxidant much as you might use vitamin E or vitamin C, 50 mg of OPCs daily are sufficient. A higher dosage of 150 to 300 mg daily is generally used for treating specific diseases such as varicose veins.

Safety:

OPCs have been extensively tested for safety and are generally considered to be essentially nontoxic. [33] Side effects are rare, but when they do occur they are limited to occasional allergic reactions and mild digestive distress. However, maximum safe dosages for young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease have not been established.

OPCs may have some anticoagulant properties when taken in high doses, and should be used only under medical supervision by individuals on blood-thinner drugs. When taking Coumadin (warfarin), heparin, Trental (pentoxifylline), or aspirin, high doses of OPCs might cause a risk of excessive bleeding.

Chemistry:This Product is composed of procyanidolic oligomers (OPCs). Structural formulas are followed:

n=2~4 (C₄₄H₃₂O₁₂)_nn=2~4

(C₃₀H₂₆O₁₂)_nn

References

1. Schwitters B, et al. OPC in practice. Bioflavanols and their applications. Rome, Italy: Alfa Omega, 1993.
2. Masquelier J, et al. Stabilization of collagen by procyanidolic oligomers. Acta Ther 7: 101105, 1981.
3. Masquelier J. Procyanidolic oligomers. J Parums Cosm Arom 95: 8997, 1990.
4. Tixier JM, et al. Evidence by in vivo and in vitro studies that binding of pycnogenols to elastin affects its rate of degradation by elastases. Biochem Pharmacol 33: 39333939, 1984.
5. Facino RM, et al. Free radical scavenging action and anti-enzyme activities of procyanidines from Vitis vinifera. A mechanism for their capillary protective action. Arzneimittelforschung 44: 592601, 1994.
6. Kuttan R, et al. Collagen treated with catechin becomes resistant to the action of mammalian collagenase. Experientia 37: 221223, 1981.
7. Masquelier J, et al. Stabilization of collagen by procyanidolic oligomers. Acta Ther 7: 101105, 1981.
8. Thebaut JF, et al. Study of endotelon in functional manifestations of peripheral venous insufficiency. Gazette Medicale 92: 12, 1985.
9. Henriet JP. Exemplary study for a phlebotropic substance, the EIVE study. On file with Primary Services International, Southport, Connecticut.
10. Delacroix P, et al. Double-blind study of endotelon in chronic venous insufficiency. La Revue de Medecine 2728, 31, 17931802, 1981.
11. Pecking A, et al. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (endotelon) in the treatment of post therapeutic lymphedema in the upper limbs. Association de Lymphologie de Lange Francaise, Hopital Saint-Louis, 75010, Paris, France 69-73, 1989.
12. Baruch J. Effect of endotelon in post-surgical edemas. Ann Chir Plast Esthet 29(4): 393395, 1984.
13. Parienti JJ, et al. Post traumatic edemas in sports: a controlled test of endotelon. Gaz Med France 90: 231236, 1983.
14. Facino RM, et al. Free radical scavenging action and anti-enzyme activities of procyanidines from vitis vinifera. A mechanism for their capillary protective action. Arzneimittelforschung 44: 592601, 1994.
15. Kuttan R, et al. Collagen treated with catechin becomes resistant to the action of mammalian collagenase. Experientia 37: 221223, 1981.
16. Masquelier J. Procyanidolic oligomers. J Parums Cosm Arom 95: 8997, 1990.
17. Masquelier J, et al. Stabilization of collagen by procyanidolic oligomers. Acta Therap 7: 101105, 1981.
18. Schwitters B, et al. OPC in practice. Bioflavanols and their applications. Alfa Omega.Rome, Italy, 1993.
19. Tixier JM, et al. Evidence by in vivo and in vitro studies that binding of pycnogenols to elastin affects its rate of degradation by elastases. Biochem Pharmacol 33: 39333939, 1984.
20. Bagchi D, Garg A, Krohn RL, et al. Oxygen free radical scavenging abilities of vitamins C and E, and a grape seed skin) proanthocyanidin  extract in vitro. Res Commun Mol Pathol    Pharmacol 95: 179189, 1997.
21. Thebaut JF, et al. Study of endotelon in functional manifestations of peripheral venous insufficiency. Gazette Medicale 92: 12, 1985.
22. Henriet, JP. Exemplary study for a phleboteropic substance, the EIVE study. On file with Primary Services International, Southport, CT.
23. Delacroix P, et al. Double-blind study of Endotelon in chronic venous insufficiency. English abstract only. La Revue de Medecine 2728, 31: 17931802.
24. Pecking A, et al. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (Endotelons) in the treatment of post-therapeutic lymphedema in the upper limbs. English abstract only. Association de Lymphologie de Lange Frangaise, Htpital Saint-Louis, 75010, Paris, France 6973, 1989.
25. Baruch J. Effect of Endotelon in post-surgical edemas. English abstract only. Ann Chir Plast Esthet 29 (4): 393395, 1984.
26. Parienti JJ, et al. Post-traumatic edemas in sports: A controlled test of Endotelon. English abstract only. Gaz Med France 90 (3): 231236.
27. Corbe C, et al. Light vision and chorioretinal circulation. Study of the effect of procyanidolic oligomers (Endotelon). J Fr Ophtalmol 11: 453460, 1988.
28. Boissin JP, et al. Chorioretinal circulation and dazzling: Use of procyanidol oligomers. Bull Soc Ophtamol Fr 88: 173174, 177179, 1988.
29. Schwitters B, et al. OPC in practice. Bioflavanols and their applications. Rome, Italy: Alfa Omega, 1993.
30. Wegrowski J, et al. The effect of procyanidolic oligomers on the composition of normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbit aortas. Biochem Pharmacol 33: 34913497, 1984.
31. Uchida S, et al. Condensed tannins scavenge active free radicals. Med Sci Res 15: 831832, 1987.
32. Gendre P. Effet protecteur des oligomeres procyandiloques sur le lathyrisme experimental chez le rat. Ann Pharm Fr 43(1): 6171, 1985.
33. Schulz V, et al. Rational phytotherapy. New York: Springer Verlag, 1998: 283.  ：