Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins,OPCs:Introduction and Its Benefit Applications.

Introduction:Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins.

Colorless glycosidic anthocyanidins, derived from isomerised flavonoids, usually polymers and based on monomeric flavan-3-ol (catechins) and flavan-3,4-diol units, Epicatechin is one of the possible building blocks of proanthocyanidins,colorless compounds that yield red anthocyanidins upon heating with acid. Note that they are not precursors to anthocyanidins in the plant. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins or OPCs are a class of flavonoid complexes found in sea buckthorn oil and grape seeds and skin, that act as antioxidants (free radical scavengers) in the human body.

General Information:

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins,also known by the abbreviation OPCs, are classified as flavonols and are usually derived from grapeseeds or pine bark.They are also present in red wines,hops, and various flowers,leaves,fruits,berries,nuts,and beans,usually with high concentrations in skins,barks,and seeds.the way in which these versatile healing compounds are distinct from flavonoids is simple chemical structure,which allows them to be readily absorbed into the bloodstream.

Proanthocyanidin (also known as oligomeric proanthocyanidin (OPC), pycnogenol, leukocyanidin and leucoanthocyanin) is a class of flavanols. Proanthocyanidins are essentially polymer chains of flavinoids such as catechins.One was discovered in 1936 by Professor Jacques Masquelier and called Vitamin P, although this name did not gain official category status and has since fallen out of usage. It was Masquelier who first developed techniques for the extraction of proanthocyanidins from certain plant species.

General structure: The most abundant flavonoids proanthocyanidins - dimers, trimers,...up to oligo- and polymers of four slightly different catechins: catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, and epigallocatechin. The general structure of proanthocyanidins is shown here.

Consideration for Use:

The two principal sources of OPCs are pine-bark extract called Pycnogenol and a number of products based on grapeseed extract.Both kinds of products supply the active content that are important to vascular health and circulation.Products made from cranberries,hazelnut tree leaves,and lemon tree bark that have been standardized for proanthocyanidins may also be used.

Many nutritionally oriented physicians report best results when Pycnogenol is taken in a dosage of 1 milligram per day for each pound of body weight (or 2 milligrams for each kilogram).For a 150 pound(70 kilgrams)person,this would be a dose of approximately 150 milligrams of Pycnogenol daily.If progress is not satisfactory after thirty days,you can double the dosage.However,if you experience any signs of detoxification,such as congestion,fever,rash,diarrhea,headaches,irritability,or fatigue,you should increase the dosage more slowly.For other sources of OPCs,follow the dosage and administration directions on the product label. Grapeseed extracts are high in tannin and may interfere with iron absorption.You should not take these if you have anemia.If you are taking blood-thinning medication,including aspirin,heparin,pentoxifylline(Trental),or warfarin(Coumadin),high dose of OPCs may pose a risk of excessive bleeding.

Reference:

1.Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins,OPCs:Introduction and Its Benefit Applications.

last edit date:11th,Mar.2010.

Available Product

Name:Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins:OPCs.
Serie No:Pure01.
Specifications:98%UV-VIS.
INCI Name:VITIS VINIFERA SEED EXTRACT
EINECS/ELINCS No.:284-511-6
CAS:84929-27-1
Chem/IUPAC Name:Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract is an extract of the seeds of the grape,Vitis vinifera,Vitaceae

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