Grape Seed Extract
Seeds of the common grape (Vitis vinifera) are known to yield polyphenols and proanthocyanidins with antioxidant properties. Scientific research has shown properties of these compounds to be neuroprotective1-3 and combat neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s4-6, Parkinson’s3,7, and an MS model8.
Oligomeric proanthocyanidin from grape seed was shown to attenuate abnormal behavior, reduce demyelination and increase myelin basic protein and key cells in the brain of EAE-affected animals. The proanthocyanidin also reduced myelin-attacking immune cells, activated microglia in the brain, and inhibited secretion of inflammatory factors8.
In pregnant mice with vascular dysfunction, grape seed extract polyphenol supplementation at 200 mg/kg/day reduced oxidative stress with no detrimental effects on fetal outcomes9. In pregnant rats receiving a drug associated with birth defects, grape seed extract 600 mg/kg/day in combination with vitamin C 8000 mg/kg/day was associated with protection of both the mothers and their fetuses10. An earlier rat study also showed benefit to offspring of mothers receiving grape seed extract at a lower dose of 25 mg/kg/day: a better circulating inflammatory profile and greater fat utilization into adulthood11. In slight contrast, a particular research institute found evidence that while maternal grape seed extract treatment during pregnancy and lactation lowered an inflammation marker in offspring, when combined with a high-fat diet it appeared to encourage higher body fat content12. It is important to note that all of the above research, while overall positive, was conducted in animal models and caution should still be taken with human use.
References
1.Balu M, Sangeetha P, Murali G, Panneerselvam C. Age-related oxidative protein damages in central nervous system of rats: modulatory role of grape seed extract. Int J Dev Neurosci. Oct 2005;23(6):501-7. doi:10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2005.06.001
2.Li L, Geng X, Tian L, Wang D, Wang Q. Grape seed proanthocyanidins protect retinal ganglion cells by inhibiting oxidative stress and mitochondrial alteration. Arch Pharm Res. Oct 2020;43(10):1056-1066. doi:10.1007/s12272-020-01272-9
3.Strathearn KE, Yousef GG, Grace MH, et al. Neuroprotective effects of anthocyanin- and proanthocyanidin-rich extracts in cellular models of Parkinsons disease. Brain Res. Mar 25 2014;1555:60-77. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2014.01.047
4.Pasinetti GM, Ho L. Role of grape seed polyphenols in Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology. Nutr Diet Suppl. Aug 1 2010;2010(2):97-103. doi:10.2147/NDS.S6898
5.Wang J, Ho L, Zhao W, et al. Grape-derived polyphenolics prevent Abeta oligomerization and attenuate cognitive deterioration in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. J Neurosci. Jun 18 2008;28(25):6388-92. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0364-08.2008
6.Wang J, Santa-Maria I, Ho L, et al. Grape derived polyphenols attenuate tau neuropathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;22(2):653-61. doi:10.3233/JAD-2010-101074
7.Ben Youssef S, Brisson G, Doucet-Beaupre H, et al. Neuroprotective benefits of grape seed and skin extract in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. Nutr Neurosci. Mar 2021;24(3):197-211. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2019.1616435
8.Wang Q, Wang J, Yang Z, et al. Therapeutic effect of oligomeric proanthocyanidin in cuprizone-induced demyelination. Exp Physiol. Jun 2019;104(6):876-886. doi:10.1113/EP087480
9.Tropea T, Greenwood SL, Sibley CP, Cottrell EC. Grape Seed Extract Polyphenols Improve Resistance Artery Function in Pregnant eNOS(-/-) Mice. Front Physiol. 2020;11:588000. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.588000
10.Saeed M, Saleem U, Anwar F, Ahmad B, Anwar A. Inhibition of Valproic Acid-Induced Prenatal Developmental Abnormalities with Antioxidants in Rats. ACS Omega. Mar 17 2020;5(10):4953-4961. doi:10.1021/acsomega.9b03792
11.Crescenti A, del Bas JM, Arola-Arnal A, Oms-Oliu G, Arola L, Caimari A. Grape seed procyanidins administered at physiological doses to rats during pregnancy and lactation promote lipid oxidation and up-regulate AMPK in the muscle of male offspring in adulthood. J Nutr Biochem. Sep 2015;26(9):912-20. doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.03.003
12.del Bas JM, Crescenti A, Arola-Arnal A, Oms-Oliu G, Arola L, Caimari A. Grape seed procyanidin supplementation to rats fed a high-fat diet during pregnancy and lactation increases the body fat content and modulates the inflammatory response and the adipose tissue metabolism of the male offspring in youth. Int J Obes (Lond). Jan 2015;39(1):7-15. doi:10.1038/ijo.2014.159