Use of grape polyphenols for promoting human health: a review of patents.

: We presently discuss the use of grape polyphenols for promoting human health and disclose recent patents on the subject. The biological effects of grape polyphenols in human and experimental models demonstrate antioxidant properties closely associated with the maintenance of endothelial function, increase in antioxidant capacity, protection against LDL oxidation and neuroprotective effects. Recent patents regarding grape polyphenols show a tendency to return to natural products with a minimum use of severe extraction processes and organic solvents. Moreover, the recent patents regarding human health show more pharmaceutical use of grape juice and other polyphenol-rich products. The application of such products in clinical trials as a substitute or co-adjuvant with drugs may be useful in future research.