Grape seed anthocyanidins, also called oligomeric anthocyanidins and proantocyanidins, are polyphenolic bioflavonoids. It has been found that these natural chemicals are responsible for the anti-oxidant activity of grape and the “French paradox” a.k.a. “why are French people healthier than us”. Proanthocyanidins are also found in other plant materials, like blackberry leaves and cat’s claw. In the case of maritime pine bark, the extract has been named pycnogenol and made popular by marketing, but properties and benefits are very similar for anthocyanidins in general.
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Further Information:
The anti-inflammatory activity of proanthocyanidins has been attributed to inhibition of lipoxygenase activity and interference with leukocyte migration.
Reference:
Garbacki, N.; Kinet, M.; Nusgens, B.; Desmecht, D.; Damas, J.(2005) Proanthocyanidins from Ribes nigrum leaves, reduce endothelial adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Journal of Inflammation (London, United Kingdom) 2:9
Blazsó, G. Gábor, M. "Oedema-inhibiting effect of procyanidin." Acta Physiologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, Tomus (1980). 56(2) pp. 235-240.
Bouhamidi R, Prevost V, Nouvelot A. (1988) High protection by grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPC) of polyunsaturated fatty acids against UV-C induced peroxidation. C R Acad Sci III, 321(1):31-8.
Fitzpatrick DF, Bing B, Rohdewald P. (1998) Endothelium-dependent vascular effects of Pycnogenol. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol., 32(4):509-15.
Packer L, Rimbach G, Virgili F. (1999) Antioxidant activity and biologic properties of a procyanidin-rich extract from pine (Pinus maritima) bark, pycnogenol. Free Radic Biol Med., 27(5-6):704-24.
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