Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract and antioxidant defense in the brain of adult rats.
Medical Science Monitor. 2006 April;12(4):BR124-9
The phytochemical proanthocyanidin is the main antioxidant of grape seed extract. The aim of this in-vivo study was to determine the neuroprotective effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin on the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus in brain of rats. The researchers found that proanthocyanidins increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (an important antioxidant defense enzyme) and decreased levels of malondialdehyde (marker of lipid peroxidation by reactive oxygen species) and protein carbonyl (marker of oxidative modification of proteins by reactive oxygen species). Intake of proanthocyanidins also resulted in an increase of choline acetyltransferase (marker for neuron activity). The study concluded that proanthocyanidins from grape skin extract improves the antioxidant defense mechanism by reducing lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation may enhance cognition.
Ingestion of IH636 grape seed proanthocyanidin extract to prevent selenite-induced oxidative stress in experimental cataract.
Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. 2006 June;32(6):1041-5
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of consumption of a grape proanthocyanidin rich seed extract on the prevention of cataract induced by sodium selenite. The in-vivo study was carried out on thirty rat litters. The rats were injected with sodium selenite and some rats received grape seed proanthocyanidin extract. After a period of 3 weeks development of cataract was determined. The researchers found that the group, which took grape seed proanthocyanidin extract, developed significantly less cataract. They concluded that grape seed extract extract effectively suppressed cataract formation in rats and that regular intake of grape seed extract may help to reduce the risk for the development of cataract.
Modulatory role of grape seed extract on age-related oxidative DNA damage in central nervous system of rats.
Brain Research Bulletin. 2006 February 15;68(6):469-73
Oxidative stress causes DNA damage and DNA protein cross-links in central nervous system, resulting in brain aging. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of grape seed extract on oxidative DNA damage in aged rats. The male rats were divided in different groups, depending on age and supplementation with grape seed extract for 30 days. The study showed that grape seed extract inhibited the age-related oxidative DNA damages in spinal cord and in various brain regions.
|
