Known as Masquelier's Original OPCs (oligomeric proanythocyanidins), Anthogenol, the Vitis vinifera seed extract is a rich source of antioxidants such as catechins and 2-5 flavan-3-ols.
The results of the new ex vivo study, presented at last week's 12th Annual Meeting on Oxidants and Antioxidants in Biology in Santa Barbara, California, show that endothelial cells, the cells that line the inner walls of blood vessels, grown in the presence of OPCs were more resistant to oxidative stress due to hydrogen peroxide.
Oxidative stress of endothelial cells can cause inflammation, hardening of the walls of the arteries (atherosclerosis), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) - the cause of almost 50 per cent of deaths in Europe.
The cells were grown in the presence of varying doses of OPCs for varying times, and afterwards washed and exposed to hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidizing agent.
"A time- and dose-dependent attenuation of cell death was observed," reported the researchers from Utrecht University and International Nutrition Company (INC).
"As an example, pre-incubation with OPCs (60 micrograms per millilitre for 24 hours) resulted in a reduction of hydrogen peroxide cell lysis from 70 to 10 per cent," said the researchers.
Dr Sujata Bapat from INC, the supplier of the extract, said: "The research shows conclusively that Anthogenol resulted in greater than 85 per cent protection of endothelial cells against oxidative stress [and] provides antioxidant support to the vascular endothelial cells whether present intra- and extracellularly."
INC has previously sponsored research that linked the antioxidant nature of Anthogenol to a wide range of health benefits, including sparing vitamin C, reducing inflammation and allergy responses, and slowing the oxidative stress associated with aging.
INC chairman, Bert Schwitters, told NutraIngredients.com that the new research fitted in with decades of research performed in France with Anthogenol's active compound.
"This is another pearl in the string of scientific data that demonstrates the broad nutritional support provided by our Masquelier's food supplements," said Schwitters.
The product continues to sell across the world in selected markets since its introduction to many markets in the early 1990s.
"In the market of well documented, scientifically verified, proven, safe and nutritionally relevant phyto-nutrients, Masquelier's is a benchmark product that does well in prime locations in stores in countries such as Austria, Australia, Holland and Singapore," said Schwitter.
Most studies have shown a benefit of OPCs with doses in the range of 100 to 300 milligrams a day, with the company recommending doses of 100 to 200 mg per day.
According to data from the US Department of Agriculture, a healthy diet should provide an adequate intake of OPCs, but studies have suggested that intake of an average diet is only about 25 mg per day.