Grape Seed extract is derived from the ground-up seeds of red wine grapes. Grapes, along with their leaves and sap have been used for traditional treatments in Europe for thousands of years. Studies have shown this extract to be beneficial in treating poor circulation and high cholesterol as well as eye disease related to diabetes. There has even been some studies suggesting it lowers the risk of some cancers, although these have been inconclusive until now.
Researchers from the University of Colorado Cancer Center have now been able to isolate the main active component of grape seed extract, B2G2, showing that this compound induces cell death (apoptosis) while leaving healthy cells alone.
To extract this B2G2 compound from grape seed extract takes a significant amount of time and expense. So instead of purifying B2G2 from grape seed extract, researchers were able to synthesize it in the lab which could be done quicker and less expensively. Now clinical trials can be done on this biologically active compound form grape seed extract against human cancer. I’m sure we will be hearing a lot more about this very promising compound in the future.
Reference: G. Sundem, Active component of grape seed extract effective against cancer cells. Colorado cancer blog, University of Colorado Cancer Center. December 4, 2013.