Proanthocyanidins are a general term for a large class of polyphenolic compounds that are widely found in plants. Their common feature is that they can produce anthocyanidins when heated in an acidic medium, so they are called proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidins are a pigment component in plants and are widely found in various plants.
Structurally, proanthocyanidins are a mixture of polyphenols formed by combining different amounts of catechins or epicatechins. The simplest proanthocyanidins are dimers formed by catechins, epicatechins, or catechins and epicatechins. In addition, there are trimers, tetramers, and even decamers. According to the degree of polymerization, dimers to pentamers are usually called oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC for short), and pentamers and above are called polymeric proanthocyanidins (PPC for short).
Proanthocyanidins are a general term for a large class of polyphenolic compounds that are widely found in plants. They have strong antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects, can effectively eliminate superoxide anion free radicals and hydroxyl free radicals, and are also involved in the metabolism of phosphate and arachidonic acid and protein phosphorylation, protecting lipids from peroxidative damage; they are powerful metal chelators that can chelate metal ions and form inert compounds in the body; they protect and stabilize vitamin C and help absorb and utilize vitamin C. Proanthocyanidins are widely distributed and exist in the skin, shell, seeds, cores, flowers, and leaves of many plants. Grape seeds have the highest content of proanthocyanidins and rich varieties.
The Function of Proanthocyanidins
In terms of skin, proanthocyanidins have unique chemical and physiological activities and play multiple roles in skin care products, such as anti-aging, anti-ultraviolet, anti-radiation, whitening, moisturizing, etc., and have unique effects on skin aging caused by various factors.
Anti-wrinkle effect
The formation of wrinkles is a complex phenomenon. From a physiological point of view, it mainly involves two types of reactions: cross-linking and degradation of skin proteins and connective tissues. The anti-wrinkle effect of proanthocyanidins is based on its ability to maintain collagen synthesis; inhibit elastase; assist the body in protecting collagen and improving skin elasticity; and improve the healthy circulation of the skin. Thus, wrinkles can be avoided or reduced.
Sunscreen and whitening effect
Most of the reported sunscreen and whitening cosmetics are oily products, which are locally irritating to the skin and even carcinogenic. Therefore, it is of great significance to screen water-soluble sunscreen and whitening agents with UV absorption from natural products. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins are pure natural, water-soluble, and have strong UV absorption at 280nm. They can inhibit the activity of tyrosinase; they can reduce the o-quinone structure of melanin to a phenolic structure, causing the pigment to fade; they can inhibit the Maillard reaction caused by protein amino groups and nucleic acid amino groups, thereby inhibiting the formation of lipofuscin and age spots. They can have a synergistic effect with vitamin Vc or VE. These characteristics of oligomeric proanthocyanidins make it occupy an important position in foreign sunscreen and whitening cosmetics.
Astringent and moisturizing effects
The astringent effect of proanthocyanidins makes cosmetics containing proanthocyanidins have good adhesion to the skin under waterproof conditions, and can shrink large pores. Sweat glands swell, making loose skin astringent, tightened, and wrinkles reduced, so that the skin shows a delicate appearance. The moisturizing effect of proanthocyanidins is based on the polyhydroxy structure of proanthocyanidins, which is easy to absorb moisture in the air; proanthocyanidins can be complexed with polysaccharides (hyaluronic acid), proteins, lipids (phospholipids), polypeptides, etc.
Anti-radiation
The free radical theory is the theoretical basis of radiation damage. After the body is irradiated, endogenous free radicals are generated, which cause damage such as lipid peroxidation. The polyhydroxy structure of proanthocyanidins in grape seed extract makes it have a strong effect of scavenging free radicals and inhibiting oxidative damage.
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