This is another in our continuing series on what actually makes ChopSaver all-natural lip balm so great. Today we feature grape seed oil including some scientific research on this tasty yet healing ingredient.
Grape seed oil is extracted from the seeds of wine grapes (Vitis vinifera). It has a wide range of applications in the cosmetic industry for its emollient property. Grape seed oil also contains linoleic acid and provides nourishment to the skin and aids in skin repair. It is an important ingredient in many hair care products, lip balms, creams and lotions.
Studies
Wound-healing properties of the oils of Vitis vinifera and Vaccinium macrocarpon.
Phytother Res. 2011 Aug;25(8):1201-8.doi:10.1002/ptr.3363.Epub 2011 Feb 9.
Shivananda Nayak B, Dan Ramdath D, Marshall JR, Isitor G, Xue S, Shi J.
Abstract
Vitis vinifera (grape) and Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) are well known medicinal plants; most of the pharmacologically active phytochemicals have been isolated from the skin, fruit juice, fermented extract and alcohol fractions of the plants above. Here, the pharmacological properties of the phytochemical constituents present in oils of cranberry and grape were investigated. The oil of grape and cranberry has been evaluated for their wound healing activity by using an excision wound model in rats. On day 13, animals treated with cranberry oil exhibited a (88.1%) reduction in the wound area compared with grape-oil treated (84.6%), controls (74.1%) and standard group animals (78.4%) (p < 0.001). The hydroxyproline content of the granulation tissue was significantly higher in the animals treated with cranberry and the grape-oil (p < 0.000). Comparative investigation of the curative properties of the oils of V. vinifera and V. macrocarpon revealed a significant result which suggests their wound-healing potential.
Bactericidal effect of grape seed extract on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
J Toxicol Sci. 2010 Jun;35(3):357-64.
Al-Habib A, Al-Saleh e, Safer AM, Afzal M.
Abstract
This study was conducted to measure the antibacterial activity of grape (Vitis vinifera L; Vitaceae) seed extract against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Grape seed and skin extracts were tested for antibacterial activity against forty-three strains of MRSA by gel diffusion, growth and respirometric studies. All MRSA strains were found to be sensitive to grape seed extract. Complete inhibition of all bacterial strains tested was observed at a concentration of 3 mg/ml crude grape seed proanthocyanidins extract (GPSE), equivalent of 20.7 microg/ml flavonoid content. Antibacterial activity was bactericidal as shown by a disruption of the bacterial cell wall in scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Grape seed extract is known to be rich in potent antioxidant polyphenolics that could show antibacterial activity. Phenolic compounds in the grape seed extract were assayed by Folin-Ciocalteu’s reagent. The considerable antibacterial activity of commonly available grape seed extract could signify a major advancement in the treatment of MRSA diseases.