VITIS VINIFERA L

Abstract

V. vinifera is a perennial woody vine native to Asia Minor and then introduced in Europe and other continents. From the different parts of this plant, in particular from the fruits, several preparations used in folk medicine have been derived. Among the most interesting constituents responsible for the therapeutical properties of the plant, procyanidins (other names : procyanidolic oligomers or OPC, leucoanthocyanins, condensed tannins, pycnogenols) received particular attention and are used for the treatment of microcirculatory disorders. More recently, procyanidins have been demonstrated to be among the most interesting antioxidant agents from Plant Kingdom, and are considered for the preventive therapy of chronic degenerative diseases and the modulation of skin unattractiveness linked to the aging process.