Grape Seed Extract Cream Accelerates Wound Healing

Going to the hospital? Don’t forget to pack your grape seed extract cream. Grape seed extract is well known for its internal use as a powerful source of antioxidant proanthocyanidins. But this study reveals an external use. A topical cream of grape seed extract has been shown to be remarkable for promoting wound healing from surgical incisions. . . .

This double-blind study included thirty-five people who were having surgery for skin lesions, like moles and tags. The researchers wanted to see if a cream containing 2% grape seed extrcact could accelerate healing of small surgical wounds. Accelerated healing is imortant because it reduces the risk of post surgical infections and complications.

Either the grape seed extract cream or a placebo cream was applied topically twice a day for three weeks. The wounds were checked periodically for the rate of  healing. Wound healing in the grape seed group was significantly better every time it was checked.

When the wounds were first checked at three days, none of the lesions had completely healed. But while the mean level of healing was only 55.5% in the placebo group, it had already achieved a level of 79.44% in the grape seed group.

When they were next checked at seven days, there were still no completely healed incisions in the placebo group, but 64.5% of the incisions in the grape seed group were fully healed.

At day ten, 100% of the wounds in the grape seed group were completely healed, while the level had only reached 28.2% in the placebo group. Healing was at 95.48% in the placebo group and 100% in the grape seed group.

By the end of the third week, everyone was completely healed. Overall, the mean time for complete healing was eight days in the grape seed group versus a full 14.4 days in the placebo group.

This study suggests that a topical cream made of grape seed extract is a valuable aid for rapid wound healing after surgery: a new use for grape seed extract.

Glob J Health Sci 2015;7:52-8