Ethnopharmacological insights into Sagrantino grape leaves: vasoactive phytocomplexes and extracellular vesicles from an underutilised agro-waste

Could discarded grape leaves hold the key to new vascular therapies? A study on the Sagrantino grape reveals that this underutilised agro-waste is packed with vasoactive compounds and tiny vesicles that relax blood vessels.

This research not only validates an ancient remedy but also highlights a sustainable source of bioactive molecules. By turning agricultural waste into a treasure trove of potential therapeutics, Sagrantino leaves might just be the next big thing in vascular health—one small vesicle at a time.

Key Points

• Sagrantino leaf extracts rich in polyphenols and tannins
• Extracts cause endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in rat aorta
• Extracellular vesicles inhibit CaV1.2 channels, inducing relaxation