PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF VITIS VINIFERA SUBSP. VINIFERA: A REVIEW

Grapes are one of the most widely grown fruits and have been used for winemaking since the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. Grapes are rich in proanthocyanidins which have been shown to possess potent free radical scavenging activity. Grape seeds are a complex matrix containing 40% fiber, 16% oil, 11% proteins, and 7% complex phenols such as tannins, in addition to abundant quantities of gallic acid, p-coumaric, caffeic and ferulic acids etc. also present. Roots contain resveratrol, vitisins A & B and other stilbenoid compounds. Leaves of grapes include gallocatechin, catechins, procyanidins, epicatechins, hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid and coumarin. Grapes are rich sources of flavonoids and contain monomers, dimers, trimers, oligomers and polymers. The monomeric compounds includes (+)-catechins, (-)-epicatechin, and epicatechin-3-O-gallate. Grapes have pharmacological activities, like anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-cataract, antibacterial, antifungal, antiacne, antiobesity, antispasmodic, spasmolytic, anti-virus, wound-healing, antihypertension and antiplatelet and antihyperpigmentation. Studies have reported that grapefruit exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties against Alzheimer, tumor, leishmanial, Low-Density Lipoprotein, viral, oxidative stress, and had hepatoprotective activity. Their potential health benefits include protection against oxidative damage and anti-diabetic, anti-cholesterol, and anti-platelet functions. Recognition of such health benefits of proanthocyanidins and resveratrol has led consumers to use grapes as a dietary supplement. This paper summarizes the studies of grape fruit’s phytochemical compounds and pharmacological properties.