Bioactivity of grape chemicals for human health

Nat Prod Commun. 2009 May;4(5):611-34.

Abstract

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) products, grape and grape juice, represent a valuable source of bioactive phytochemicals, synthesized by three secondary metabolic pathways (phenylpropanoid, isoprenoid and alkaloid biosynthetic routes) and stored in different plant tissues. In the last decades, compelling evidence suggested that regular consumption of these products may contribute to reducing the incidence of chronic illnesses, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, ischemic stroke, neurodegenerative disorders and aging, in a context of the Mediterranean dietary tradition. The health benefits arising from grape product intake can be ascribed to the potpourri of biologically active chemicals occurring in grapes. Among them, the recently discovered presence of melatonin adds a new element to the already complex grape chemistry. Melatonin, and its possible synergistic action with the great variety of polyphenols, contributes to further explaining the observed health benefits associated with regular grape product consumption.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / drug effects
  • Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Alkaloids / metabolism
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Atherosclerosis / drug therapy
  • Cardiotonic Agents / chemistry
  • Cardiotonic Agents / metabolism
  • Cardiotonic Agents / pharmacology
  • Chemoprevention
  • Flavonoids / biosynthesis
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Fruit / chemistry*
  • Fruit / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Melatonin / chemistry
  • Melatonin / metabolism
  • Melatonin / pharmacology
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neuroprotective Agents / chemistry
  • Neuroprotective Agents / metabolism
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Phenols / chemistry
  • Phenols / pharmacology*
  • Polyphenols
  • Terpenes / chemistry
  • Terpenes / metabolism
  • Terpenes / pharmacology
  • Vitis / chemistry*
  • Vitis / metabolism

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Antioxidants
  • Cardiotonic Agents
  • Flavonoids
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Phenols
  • Polyphenols
  • Terpenes
  • Melatonin