Muhammad Sajid, Muhammad Nadeem
Grape seed extract has important medicinal properties because of its therapeutic and nutraceutical potential. Its application as a supplement has increased over last few years. Grape seed extract contains many polyphenolic compounds such as proanthocyanidins that have positive health effects like increased athletes’ performance, delayed onset of Alzheimer’s disease, protection from cardiac disorders, anti-tumor proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects, lowering the peroxidation rates of LDL and many other health benefits yet to explored. Previously people consumed the seeds as a whole or grind it at home but now-a-days commercially available techniques of extraction like liquid extraction, separation with other solvents like methanol, ethyl acetate and acetone are available. Characterization of proanthocyanidins by advanced analytical techniques like High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Mass Spectroscopy, near infrared spectrometer (NIR) and Nuclear Magnetic resonance (NMR) have made this product a main focus for many nutraceutical industries. Recent researches in field of nutrition and herbal medicines have shown that poly phenolic compounds have numerous health benefits like cyanidins and proanthocyanidins composed of 3 monomeric units like catechin, epicatechin and epigallocatechin. Grape seed extract in the form of dietary supplements or pills is considered safe within limited doses but have shown allergic reactions for people prone to allergies. The aim of this review paper is to study the nutraceutical potential and numerous health benefits of grape seed extract in field of emerging herbal supplements and natural medicines which lowers the health risks as compared to allopathic medicines with minimum side effects. Keywords: Essential oil, grape seed, extract, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols.