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Protective effects can be seen on a macrotissue level, as the anthocyanidins bind very tightly with collagenous structures in a 5:1 ratio, strengthening the collagen by 10 times against collagenase (an enzyme that breaks down collagen). The applications of Bilberry extracts are incredible, from disease prevention to athletic performance enhancement.
Antioxidants and free radicals
Most of today's degenerative diseases are at least partly due to free radical damage. Free radicals are highly unstable, "unfinished" molecules. In a normal living cell, they are formed when a chemical reaction is not completed. Free radicals attack sensitive structure in the cell -- such as DNA and lipids -- in a potentially devastating cascade reaction. Antioxidants capture the free radicals, thereby stopping the chain reaction and preventing further damage to the living cell.
Improving vision
• Night vision. Helps by stimulating the production of rhodopsin, also called eye purple, in the retina. The anthocyans are precursors to the rhodopsin, which is an essential element for night vision.
• Cataracts and macular degeneration. Growing evidence indicates that free radicals cause cataracts. That means that antioxidants may prevent them.
• Diabetic eye damage. The increased production of rhodopsin, combined with bilberry's capillary-protective effect, work together to improve eye integrity.
• Eye fatigue. It helps regenerate rhodopsin (retina's pigment). It improves circulation and the flow of nutrients to the eye. Its powerful antioxidants protect against the toxins in polluted air and possible radiation damage from the computer screen.
Circulatory effects
Bilberry interacts directly with collagen fibers, increasing the cross-link between them. Because of this effect on collagen, bilberry strengthens capillary permeability, preventing leakage. It can therefore dramatically improve peripheral circulation. The strengthening of capillaries helps prevent the aggravation of varicose veins. People prone to bruising will benefit from this also.
Grapeskin Chemistry
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are oligomeric flavonoids, usually dimers, and trimers, based on the flavon-3-ol, or catechin molecule. OPCs are also found in grape skin, pine bark and cranberries and others.
OPCs exhibit the following properties:
(1) Antioxidant activity.
(2) Assist in collagen cross-linking.
(3) Sparing action on Vitamin C.
Pharmacological activity / Clinical benefits.
1. Protects LDL from oxidation - Oxidation of LDL is implicated in the development of atherosclerotic plaques.
2. Antiallergic / Anti-inflammatory activity. OPCs inhibit mast cell degradation (hence prevent the release of histamine, bradykinin and serotonin), which mediates inflammatory and allergic reactions, edema, and other conditions. OPCs also inhibit hyaluronidase activation. Hyaluronidase is a proteoglycan-splitting enzyme which can attack various tissues during inflammation and depolymerize hyaluronic acids, and is implicated in the permeability of the vascular system and the migration of metastases.
3. Vascular protection. OPCs have a particular affinity for the arterial walls and thus offer vascular protection. OPCs are potent inhibitors of elastic lamellal, and thus of the weakening of the vessel walls. In Europe, grapeseed extracts have been prescribed to prevent capillary fragility, to heal varicose veins and hemorrhoids and prevent edema.
4. Ulcer protection. OPCs are effective in preventing the formation of ulcers in animals. Flavonoids have been reported to provide significant protection against NSAIDs.
Reference
i. Mian E, Curri SB, Lietti A, Bombardelli E. "[Anthocyanosides and the walls of the microvessels: further aspects of the mechanism of action of their protective effect in syndromes due to abnormal capillary fragility]." Minerva Med 1977 Oct 31; 68(52): 3565-81.
ii. Hess HH, Knapka JJ, Newsome DA, Westney IV, Wartofsky L. "Dietary prevention of cataracts in the pink-eyed RCS rat." Lab Anim Sci 1985 Feb; 35(1): 47-53.
iii. Scharrer A, Ober M. "[Anthocyanosides in the treatment of retinopathies (author's transl)]" Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd, 1981 May; 178(5): 386-9.
iv. Lietti A, Cristoni A, Picci M. "Studies on Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides. I. Vasoprotective and antiinflammatory activity." Arzneimittelforschung 1976; 26(5): 829-32.
v. Galli RL, Shukitt-Hale B, Youdim KA, Joseph JA. "Fruit polyphenolics and brain aging: nutritional interventions targeting age-related neuronal and behavioral deficits." Ann N Y Acad Sci 2002 Apr; 959: 128-32.
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