Skip to main content

Proanthocyanidins

Proanthocyanidins- the friendly tannins with many health benefits



The word “tannins” in foods induce a scare to all health conscious men. We know tannins are needed to produce leather and ink. Consumption of a cup of “Kadak meethi chai ” (strong sweet tea) is known for reducing hunger and hindering iron absorption in stomach and that is the reason many people abhor tea. But it is to be remembered that tannins, similar to all good things like sugar, are harmful in high concentrations only and form friendly components of our foods with many health benefits.
Tannins are polyphenols having an astringent taste and ability to convert putrescible animal hydes to hard stable leather. Two groups of tannins, hydrolysable and condensed, are recognised in plants. The former group is soluble in water, contains simple phenolic acids esterified with one or more sugar molecules and are hydrolysed by dilute acids to component compounds. Condensed tannins are polyphenols insoluble in water, which on treatment with acids yield complex products of unknown composition called “tannin reds” or “phlobaphenes”.
Proanthocyanidins
Proanthocyanidins (known earlier as ‘leucoanthocyanins”) contain ‘flavans’ like catechins (flavan-3-ols) and flavan–3, 4-diols. A proanthocyanidin molecule may be a dimer of flavan 3, 4-diol or contain a catechin and a flavan-3, 4-diol. The linkage between the two monomers, most often, is a C-C linkage. Proanthocyanidins may contain 3 and 11 of these monomers. These compounds, as the name signifies, yield anthocyanidins (25%) on acidic or alkaline hydrolysis along with complex polymeric structures known as ‘phlobaphenes’ or ‘tannin reds’. Based on the type of anthocyanidin produced, they can be procyanidins, prodelphinidins, propelargonidins etc.
A simple test for proanthocyanidins is the development of red color when the plant material is boiled in acidic solution(2N HCl) for 30 min. On shaking this extract with amyl alcohol, the red colour will be extracted in amyl alc. This red extract can be concentrated and analysed for Anthocyanidins by PC or TLC.
Proanthocyanidins are responsible for the puckering (dry) sensation when a plant part is tasted. They are seen in many flowers, nuts, fruits, bark, and seeds of various plants, as a defense against biotic and abiotic stressors. Their astringency protects the plants from pathogens and predators. But some like selligueain A, from the rhizome of the fern Selliguea feei is intensely-sweet. Almost all plants, where bark, wood or roots and even leaves are used as medicines, are bound to contain these compounds.
The most common sources of proanthocyanidins are ;
1. Berries like Lingonberry, cranberry, black elderberry, black chokeberry, black currant and blueberry
2. fruits like Persimmon, banana, carob bean, and Chinese quince, chokeberries, rose hips, and cocoa products, medlar, mulberry, plum, apricot, walnut, silverberry and pomegranate
3. Grape seed
Proanthocyanidins can impart astringency, bitterness, sourness, sweetness, salivary viscosity, aroma, and color formation. It’s savor taste can be used in fruit juices, teas, beverages and -also for enhancing the shelf life of several food products like wine . They are used as additives in food preparations for enhancing microbial stability, foamability, oxidative stability, and heat stability.
Proanthocyanidins are found to possess a large number of medicinal properties such as:
1. Antioxidant : Grape seed proanthocyanidins are consumed as dietary supplements
2. Protects heart. By Causing vessel relaxation and the inhibition LDL oxidation and inhibiting
the binding of oxidized LDL to the lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor. They also modulate NO/cyclic
3. Lipid lowering properties ;
Proanthocyanidins causes lowering of triacylglycerol by repressing lipoprotein secretion. They also reduce oxidized LDL level, lowering the risk of arteriosclerosis .
4. Protects the nerves
Proanthocynidins caused neuroprotective effect in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) via suppressing the amyloid-beta aggregation, decreasing amyloid-beta production, amy loid plaques and microgliosis, and preventing from amyloid-beta neurotoxicity in brain of mice. Food rich in proanthocyanidins (30, 60, and 90 mg/kg) ameliorated the learning and memory abilities impaired by D-galactose as well as significantly lowered the concentrations of MDA, NO, content of β-amyloid peptide, and total NO synthase alongside enhancing concentrations of glutathione peroxidase and SOD in brain.
5. Immunomodulatory
These compounds stimulate lymphocyte trans formation, enhance lysosomal enzyme activity and phagocytic cap ability of peritoneal macrophages. They promoted the production of TNF-α andreduced inflammatory cells, Th2 cytokines and serum IgE levels
6. Antidiabetic
Grape seed proanthocyanidins increased normal insulin content , inhibited lipid peroxidation, restored endothelial function, and reduced the risk of vascular disease in diabetes.
7. Anticancer
Being anticancer agents, oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) alter genes involved in cell cycle and DNA replication. They significantly decreased xenograft tumor growth, and inhibited the formation of organoids in colorectal cancer . They are also found to be effective against skin-tumour, prostate cancer, breast cancer etc.
10. Antimicrobial
Being polyphenolic, these compounds are excellent antimicrobials.

Reference:
Abdur R. et al. (2019) Proanthocyanidins: A comprehensive review, Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, 116, August 2019, 108999

Mammen Daniel

Comments

Ayurveda and Panchakarma Clinic

Ayurveda and Panchakarma Clinic

Ayurveda and Panchakarma Clinic

Ayurveda and Panchakarma Clinic

Ayurveda and Panchakarma Clinic

Ayurveda and Panchakarma Clinic

Ayurveda and Panchakarma Clinic

Popular posts

केस गळणे थांबवण्यासाठी घरगुती उपाय (Home Remedies for Hair Loss)

नारळाचं तेल (Coconut oil) केस गळती थांबवण्यासाठी अतिशय गुणकारी आहे. जर केसांना नारळाच्या तेलाने मसाज केला तर प्रथिनांची क्षती रोखली जाते तसेच केस मऊ आणि सतेज होण्यास मदत होते. नारळाचे दूध डोक्यावर चोळल्यानेही असेच चांगले परिणाम दिसून येतात. केसांना कांद्याचा रस (onion juice) लावला तरी केसांच्या वाढीस मदत होते आणि पर्यायाने टक्कल कमी होण्यास मदत होते. मेथी (fenugreek) वाटून तिची पाण्यात पेस्ट केली आणि ती केसांना लावली तरी केस गळणे कमी होण्यास मदत होते. बीट आणि मेंदी (Beetroot and henna) पावडर ह्यांना एकत्र पाण्यात कालवून, त्यांची पेस्ट केसाला लावल्यास केस गळने कमी होते. कोरफड (aloe vera gel) केसांचे गळणे थांबवण्यासाठी अतिशय परिणामकारक आहे. कोरफडीचा गर केसाला लावल्यास केस गळणे थांबते तसेच केसांची वाढ होण्यास मदत होते आणि केस मऊ आणि मजबूत होतात. आवळ्याची पावडर आणि लिंबाचा रस डोक्याला लावल्यास केस गळण्याचे प्रमाण कमी होते तसेच केसांना चमक येते. रोजमेरीचे तेल (rosemary oil) केसांना लावल्यास केस गळणे कमी होते. शरीरातील लोहाचे प्रमाण कमी असल्यास केस गळण्याची समस्या उद्भवू शकते. त्यामुळे केस ...

ह्लद्य रोग

 आहारातून मिळणाऱ्या उष्माकांपैकी १० टक्के किंवा त्याहीपेक्षा कमी उष्मांक स्निग्ध पदार्थामधून आलेले असावेत. कोलेस्टेरॉल आणि कोलेस्टेरॉलयुक्त पदार्थ वज्र्य करावेत. रोजच्या आहारातून ५ मिलिग्रॅम कोलेस्टेरॉल खायला हरकत नाही, अगदी स्निग्धांशविरहित दुधातही (Skimmed Milk) मध्ये थोडेसे कोलेस्टेरॉल असते. संपृक्त स्निग्धांश (Saturated Fats) जवळजवळ वज्र्य करावेत. कोलेस्टेरॉलची पातळी कमी करण्याच्या दृष्टीनं उपयुक्त असलेले पदार्थ कांदा, लसूण, गाजर, वांगे, सोयाबीन, स्कीम मिल्क, दुधाचं दही, सफरचंद इतर नेहमी आहारात ठेवावे. 2. मांसाहार टाळावा. मटण, चिकन टाळावे. अंडय़ातील पिवळा भाग टाळावा. दुधाचे पदार्थ- मलई, तूप, लोणी, चीज, पनीर, मिठाई शक्यतो टाळावे. मिताहारी असावे. (Have a gentle hunger always) 3. सफरचंद नियमित सेवन केल्याने हृदयासाठी व रक्तवाहिन्यासाठी उपयुक्त ठरते. हे फायबर हृदय रोग टाळण्यासाठी मदत करते.  4. किमान पाच बदाम आणि चार अक्रोड नियमित खाल्ल्यामुळेही शरीराला पुरेसे फॅट, व्हिटॅमिन ई आणि कॅल्शियम मिळते. बदाम खाल्ल्याने हृदयरोग किमान २० टक्क्यांइतका दूर ठेवता येतो. अक्रोडात व्हिटॅमिन-ई...

उन्हाळ्यात तब्येत सांभाळा..!!

उष्ण व थंड पदार्थ कलिंगड - थंड सफरचंद - थंड चिकू - थंड  संत्री - उष्ण आंबा - उष्ण             लिंबू - थंड कांदा - थंड आलं/लसूण - उष्ण काकडी - थंड बटाटा - उष्ण पालक - थंड  टॉमेटो कच्चा - थंड कारले - उष्ण कोबी - थंड  गाजर - थंड  मुळा - थंड मिरची - उष्ण मका - उष्ण मेथी - उष्ण कोथिंबीर/पुदिना - थंड वांगे - उष्ण गवार - उष्ण भेंडी साधी भाजी - थंड बीट - थंड  बडीशेप - थंड  वेलची - थंड  पपई - उष्ण अननस - उष्ण  डाळींब - थंड  ऊसाचा रस बर्फ न घालता ...

विश्वास की शक्ति

विश्वास संकट के समय में ही काम आता है, यह अजीब है कि जब सबसे ज्यादा जरूरत होती है, तो विश्वास खो दिया जाता है! जानें कि विश्वास एक उपहार है, जो हमें जीवन की चुनौतियों का सामना करने की शक्ति देता है। आयुर्वेद जीवनशैली को अपनाकर, आप अपने जीवन में विश्वास की शक्ति को जगा सकते हैं, स्वस्थ आदतें, स्वस्थ जीवनशैली, उत्साह, प्रेम, खुशी, आनंद के साथ मिलकर। व्यायाम, प्राणायाम, प्रार्थना, योग, ध्यान, सकारात्मक दृष्टिकोण से भरा जीवन, आपको विश्वास की शक्ति से भर देगा, और आप जीवन की चुनौतियों का सामना करने के लिए तैयार हो जाएंगे। जब आप आयुर्वेद जीवनशैली को अपनाते हैं, तो आप अपने जीवन में विश्वास की शक्ति को जगाते हैं, आपका मन और शरीर दोनों स्वस्थ और मजबूत हो जाते हैं, और आप जीवन की चुनौतियों का सामना करने के लिए तैयार हो जाते हैं। आइए आज एक आनंदमय दिन की शुभकामना करें, खुश रहें, सफलता, खुशी, और सुंदर जीवन के पथ पर बढ़ें। आयुर्वेद जीवनशैली के साथ मिलकर, आपको विश्वास की शक्ति से भर देगा। आपका जीवन विश्वास से भरा हो, आपका जीवन सुंदर हो, आपका जीवन सफल हो, आपका जीवन खुशियों से भरा हो। शुभ दिन...

The secrets of Ayurvedic digestive health and discover a happier, healthier you.

The Secrets of Ayurvedic Digestive Health. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, offers a holistic approach to health and wellness. One of the key areas of focus in Ayurveda is digestive health. In this blog, we'll explore how Ayurveda helps regulate digestion and prevents digestive disorders. The Importance of Digestion in Ayurveda In Ayurveda, digestion is considered the foundation of overall health. The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food into nutrients that can be absorbed by the body. When digestion is impaired, it can lead to a range of health problems, including digestive disorders, fatigue, and even mental health issues. Ayurvedic Principles of Digestive Health. Ayurveda offers a unique perspective on digestive health, based on the concept of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha has its own characteristics and tendencies, and understanding your individual dosha can help you tailor your diet and lifestyle to support o...

घोरणे -- घरगुती उपाय.

घोरणे ही अनेक जणांची समस्या आहे. अनेक कारणांमुळे घोरण्याचा आजार होऊ शकतो. काही सावधगिरी बाळगुन आणि घरगुती इलाज करुन घोरण्यावर नियंत्रण आणता येऊ शकते. आज आपण पाहणार आहोत अशाच काही टिप्स ज्या घोरण्याची समस्या दूर करण्यात मदत करतील. 🍃 *१*. पंखा किंवा एसी खाली झोपू नका. पंखा किंवा एसीची सरळ हवा लागल्याने श्वास नलिका आकसतात. 🍃 *२.* भरपूर पाणी प्या शरीरात पाण्याच्या कमतरतेमुळे नाक आणि गळ्यामध्ये कफ वाढतो. ज्यामुळे श्वास घेण्यात अडचण येते. दिवसभर ३-४ लिटर पाणी प्या. 🍃 *३.* योग करा घोरण्याची समस्या दूर करण्यासाठी कपालभाति आणि प्राणायम फायदेशीर आहे. 🍃 *४.*आहारावर नियंत्रण ठेवा रात्रीच्या वेळी जास्त खाणे टाळा. झोपण्याआधी कफ वाढवणारे पदार्थ, जसे की दुध, ऑयली फूड, चॉकलेट किंवा गोड खाऊ नका. 🍃 *५.*रक्त दाबावर नियंत्रण ठेवा जर रक्त दाब सामान्यांपेक्षा जास्त असेल तर यामुळे घोरण्याची समस्या होऊ शकते. रक्त दाब नियंत्रणात असावा 🍃 *६.*वजन कमी करा घोरणे टाळण्यासाठी वजनावर नियंत्रण असणे खूप आवश्यक आहे. जास्त वजन असल्याने घोरण्याची समस्या होते. 🍃 *७.*लसूण मोहरीच्या तेलाने मालिश २-३ पाकळ्या लसूण मोहरीच...

Boost your immunity naturally with Ayurveda.

The Power of Ayurveda: Boosting Immunity Naturally. In today's world, where diseases and infections are on the rise, having a strong immune system is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, offers a holistic approach to boosting immunity naturally. In this blog, we'll explore the ways in which Ayurvedic herbs and practices can enhance the body's natural defense system. Understanding the Immune System. Before we dive into the world of Ayurveda, let's take a brief look at how the immune system works. The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. When the immune system is functioning properly, it can effectively fight off infections and diseases. Ayurvedic Herbs for Boosting Immunity. Ayurveda offers a wealth of herbs that can help boost immunity naturally. Some of ...

Dr Aditi R Kulkarni Kalyan India

Dr Aditi R Kulkarni                M.D.Ayurved Mumbai Ayurved and Panchakarma Yog Therapy Consultant Gokul Nagari , Khadakpada Kalyan West Maharashtra India 421301 Contact No + 91 9821608335  

DR. VARMA K SREEVIRAJ DOMBIVLI INDIA

DR VARMA K SREEVIRAJ Ayurvedic Expert & Panchakarma Specialist With a passion for providing personalized Ayurvedic solutions,  Dr. Varma K. Sreeviraj is a renowned Ayurvedic expert with years of experience in treating various health problems. His expertise lies in Ayurvedic consultations, treatments, and Panchakarma therapy. Qualifications - B.A.M.S. (Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine, and Surgery) - D.Y.M.S. (Diploma in Yoga and Meditation Sciences) Clinics & Timings Dr. Varma operates from three clinics in Dombivli: 1. Gandhi Nagar Clinic     - Address: Plot No. 34, Varma Apts., Nr. Subhash Dairy & DNS Bank, Gandhi Nagar, Dombivli East, Maharashtra, India, Pin 421201     - Time: 1.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. 2. Dombivli East Clinic     - Address: Above Varma Stores, Opp. Kailash Mandir & Railway Station, Dombivli East, Maharashtra, India, Pin 421201     - Time: 10 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. & 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. 3. Dombivli West C...

Reduce inflammation naturally with Ayurveda.

Reducing Inflammation with Ayurveda: A Natural Approach to Pain Relief. Inflammation is a natural response of the body's immune system, but chronic inflammation can lead to debilitating pain and discomfort. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, offers a natural approach to reducing inflammation and alleviating chronic pain. In this blog, we'll explore the Ayurvedic treatments and herbs that can help reduce inflammation and promote overall well-being. Understanding Inflammation Inflammation is a complex process that involves the immune system's response to injury or infection. While acute inflammation is a necessary response to injury, chronic inflammation can lead to a range of health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. Ayurveda recognizes that inflammation is often caused by an imbalance of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Ayurvedic Treatments for Reducing Inflammation Ayurveda offers a range of treatments for reducin...