Red-wine polyphenols and inhibition of platelet aggregation: possible mechanisms, and potential use in health promotion and disease prevention.
An extract from red-wine grape fermentation, ANOX has been developed as a source of red-wine polyphenols, which are thought to inhibit several of the pathogenic pathways that lead to cardiovascular disease. New data indicate that this extract has a significantly greater effect than either red wine or red-wine powder on the inhibition of platelet aggregation in vitro. Based on this data, about 300 - 500 mg of the extract is equivalent to the daily dose of red-wine polyphenols that appears to protect against cardiovascular disease. The possible synergistic effect of red-wine polyphenols with vitamin C, their vasorelaxing activity and their possible role in preventing over-crosslinking of connective tissues (premature ageing) are considered. The extract contains standardized amounts of the whole spectrum of polyphenolic compounds found in red wine and may provide a valuable reference substance in clinical investigations of the physiological actions of plant polyphenols; its potential use in functional nutrition and preventive medicine is also discussed.
Halpern
M J
MJ
Superior Institute for Health Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal.
Dahlgren
A L
AL
Laakso
I
I
Seppänen-Laakso
T
T
Dahlgren
J
J
McAnulty
P A
PA
D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005419:Flavonoids; D006801:Humans; D010636:Phenols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059808:Polyphenols; D014920:Wine
D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D011108:Polymers; D059808:Polyphenols