Introduction
Grapeseed oil comes from the seeds of grapes (Vitis vinifera) belongs to the Vitaceae family. It was a by-product of winemaking used from ancient Greek and Roman civilizations for culinary, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic uses. It was widely used as cooking oil and also in skin care applications as cosmetics.
Grapeseed contains 8%–20% of oil (dry basis), crude oil obtained by pressure. It was deep yellowish-green in color and possessed a decided, nutlike, slightly burnt odor and taste. After steam distillation for several hours, bleached and deodorized oil (refined oil) possessed a pale straw color and a bland, sweetish, nutlike taste, and was practically odorless (1).
Distribution
Grapeseed oil mainly produced in Turkey, Portugal, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, and the United States, however, the demand for this oil has also increased in the rest of Europe (2).
Constituents of Grapeseed oil
The grapeseed oil contains linoleic acid is the major component comprising 53.6-69.6% of the total, followed by oleic (16.2-31.2%), palmitic (6.9-12.9%), and stearic (1.44-4.69%). The oil of the grape seed is also rich in the antioxidant compound oligomeric proanthocyanidin (OPC), α-tocopherol, β-Tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and δ-tocopherol (3).
Grapeseed oil (GSO) also contains high amounts of phenolic compounds. Including gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin and procyanidins, resveratrol. also contains minor amounts of hydroxytyrosol and melatonin.
Further, a high level of vitamin E (60–120 mg/100 g), other constituents like sugars, and a considerable amount of macro and microelements such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese were found in GSO. It also contains 40% fiber, 16% oil, 11% proteins, and 7% complex phenols such as tannins (4).
Uses of Grapeseed oil
It is used for salad dressings, marinades, deep frying, flavored oils, baking. Also used as a massage oil, sunburn repair lotion, hair products, body hygiene creams, lip balm, and hand creams.
Moreover, grape seed oil may be used as a potential substitute for canola oil in the kitchen, or for cosmetic use on skin and hair.
Health benefit of Grapeseed oil
Grapeseed oil has been a traditional treatment in Europe for thousands of years. Used for the prevention and/or treatment of various degenerative pathologies as follows
1. Wound healing properties of Grapeseed oil
It contains a high amount of phytoconstituents, active leucoanthocyanins, resveratrol, fatty acids, and other polyphenols. Which possess the ability to release endothelial growth factors, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties results in the contraction and closure of the skin wound(5, 6).
2. The rich antioxidant in Grapeseed oil
Grapeseed oil possesses hydroxyl radical scavenging activity as it contains triterpenoids (β-amyrin, lanosterol), tocopherols (α, β, and γ tocopherols), and phytosterols (campesterol, avenasterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, β-sitostanol, cholesterol).
Moreover, this oil contains gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, procyanidins, and proanthocyanidins which possess high antioxidant capacity, Thus this oil protects against oxidative damage by modulating nitric oxide production and antioxidant activity (7).
3. Anti-inflammatory properties of Grapeseed oil
A rich source of polyphenols and proanthocyanidin able to inhibit inflammatory response and oxidation induces damages by preventing the release of arachidonic acid which induces inflammation (8). Thus consumption of grapeseed oil may prevent inflammation-related diseases (9).
4. Healthy liver and brain
Grapeseed oil due to polyphenols possess the ability to scavenge free radicals, act as cellular preventive agents against DNA oxidative damage and apoptosis (10). Therefore, grapeseed oil is very helpful for the treatment of acute liver and brain injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in γ-irradiation (11).
5. Reduce pain
Grapeseed oil plays an important role in reducing the pain and inflammation caused by a bone fracture. As its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore grape seed oil with honey and propolis oil shows non-toxic behavior to RBC and human fibroblast cells (HDF) cells. Hence indicating better blood compatibility and cell viability rates. Thus grape seed oil may be used to get relief from the pain at the fracture site (12).
6. Treats obesity
Grapeseed oil contains a good amount of tocotrienols (α- and γ-tocotrienol) which are unsaturated forms of vitamin E and reduces adipogenesis and inflammation of human adipocytes. Thus grape seed oil may act as a natural source to attenuate obesity and its associated adipose inflammation (13).
7. Healthy skin
Grapeseed oil contains a high amount of polyphenols which is very beneficial for the development of stable cream emulsions destined to improve the skin appearance. This oil is rich in antioxidants and safe to use as natural skin whitening (i.e. decrease melanin content), moisturizer (i.e. increase skin moisture content), and as a potential anti-aging (i.e. increase skin elasticity) agent. Thus this oil is also helpful to diminishing skin redness (e.g. due to acne treatment, allergies, radiotherapy effects, rosacea, couperosis, erythrosis, etc) and acne vulgaris, decrease erythema effects and skin sebum content, without causing any skin sensitivity (14).
8. Treat oral dyskinesia
Oral dyskinesia is unusual and abnormal oral movements however haloperidol is a widely used antipsychotic drug that contains severe motor side effects. Haloperidol-loaded nanocapsules containing grape seed oil (rich in n-6 and n-9 Fatty Acids) show a wonderful effect on prevention in ROS production and reduced cell death, and consequently fewer drug-related adverse side effects thus maintaining the functional integrity of the brain (15).
9. Healthy digestion
Unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants such as tocopherols, phytosterol, and α- and γ-tocotrienol found in grape seed oil is helpful to decrease oxidative stress and combat inflammation. Thus enema application of grape seed oil is beneficial to treat inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis (UC) (16).
10. Lower cholesterol levels
The presence of polyphenols and sterols in grapeseed oil is responsible to increase serum HDL-cholesterol levels (Good cholesterol) and decrease LDL-cholesterol levels (Bad cholesterol) in three weeks. Thus, the addition of grapeseed oil to broilers diet improves lipid profile and cholesterol content in obtained meat (17). Furthermore, grapeseed oil influences the fatty acid profile (n-6 fatty acids) of the meat and maybe promising additives that could improve the quality of broiler chicken meat (18).
11. Prevent skin damage
Proanthocyanidin found in grape seed oil is act as a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavengers which inhibit skin tumor formation, decrease the size of skin tumors and prevent immune system suppression induce by UV radiation (19).
12. Treat cholsma or Melasma
Grapeseed oil contains proanthocyanidin which is effective in reducing the hyperpigmentation of women with chloasma in 6 months. Thus, this oil is safe and useful for improving chloasma and treats hypomelanosis (20).
13. Improve skin elasticity
Grapeseed oil contains pycnogenol which plays a key role in herbal moisturizers to improve skin elasticity, maintain humectants, hydrate, and soothing effect on the skin (21).
14. Rich in nutrients
Grapeseed oil contains a high amount of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid which is higher than safflower oil, sunflower oil, and corn oil followed by oleic acid and palmitic acid which is protected from various diseases. This oil also contains a considerable amount of macro and microelements such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium contents. Additionally, this oil is reputed to contain plentiful antioxidants (gallic acid, catechin and epicatechin, and a wide variety of procyanidins), as well as to lower cholesterol levels, vitamins (vitamin E, vitamin C, and b-carotene), and phenolic compounds (22).
15. Anticancer properties of Grapeseed oil
It is a rich source of polyphenolic compounds which possess chemopreventive activity. Helps in inhibiting the protein kinases thus prevent the growth of cancer cells (23).
16. Manage diabetes
The grape seed contains the greatest amount of tocotrienols and total phenolic compounds which inhibit intestinal α-glucosidases and α-pancreatic amylase. That may delay carbohydrate digestion and absorption, resulting in the suppression of postprandial glycemia (24). Moreover, high glucose causes β-cell dysfunction and apoptosis in diabetes however grape seed oil protects β-cells from high glucose-induced apoptosis and dysfunction. Thus grape seed oil supplementation improves inflammation and insulin resistance in overweight and/or obese women (25).
17. Treat the cardiovascular disease
Proanthocyanidin, unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid and oleic acids) of grapeseed oil acts as anti-atherosclerotic agents. Therefore, reduces plaques and carotid plaque size further reducing the cardiovascular event significantly. which are beneficial to human cardiovascular health (26).
18. Reduce platelet aggregation
Grapeseed oil consumption (omega-6 fatty acid) reduced platelet aggregation, therefore, keep the heart healthy (27).
19. Lower blood pressure
Grapeseed extract has a beneficial impact on blood pressure. This impact was more obvious in younger or obese subjects, as well as in patients with metabolic disorders (28).
The side effect of Grapeseed oil
A research study suggested that grapeseed is safe for those also who are allergic to white grape. This may be due to both dilution and transient contact of the bath oil (29). However, if you feel nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and acute weakness after consumption should avoid grape seed oil (30).
Edited By: Dr. Asha Jyoti Bharati