In the treatment of gastritis and peptic ulcers, there is a growing focus on strengthening the gastric mucosa to buffer the irritant effects of gastric acid. Plant-based substances are used to support cytoprotection of the mucosa, improve microcirculation in the gastric lining, and accelerate cell renewal — particularly during the ulcer development phase (2).
Grapefruit seed extract plays a significant role in this context. The extract is produced from the seeds and pulp of Citrus paradisi (grapefruit) using a patented process, during which the polyphenols are converted into stable quaternary compounds. These bioactive substances — including phenols and flavonoids — possess antioxidant properties and exert a strong cytoprotective effect on gastric mucosal cells.
This protective action is thought to result from enhanced nitric oxide (NO) activity and increased microcirculation in the tissues (3). The latter may be linked to improved formation of certain neuropeptides, influenced by plant flavonoids (4). Among the active compounds identified are the flavones naringin and hesperidin (5).
In addition, the antibacterial and antifungal properties of grapefruit seed extract have been well documented in studies.
The extract is effective against more than 800 bacteria and virus groups, 100 fungal species and a large number of single-cell and multicell parasites (1). The active principle seems to be the breaking open of the bacterial membranes by certain substances of the grapefruit seed extract within 15 minutes (1). The effectiveness against yeasts has also been demonstrated (5).
References
1) Heggers, J. P. et al. 2002. The effectiveness of processed grapefruit- seed extract as an antibacterial agent. J Altern Complement Med. 8(3):333-40
Wagner, H., Wiesenauer, M. 2003. Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und pflanzliche Homöopathika.
Zayachkivska, O. S. et al. 2004. Influence of plantoriginated gastroprotective and antiulcer substances on gastric mucosal repair. Fiziol ZH. 50(6):118-27
Zayachkivska, O.S. et al. 2005. Gastroprotective effects of flavonoides in plant extracts. J Physiol Pharmacol. 56 Suppl 1:219-31
Cvetnic, Z., Vladimir-Knezevic, S. 2004. Antimicrobal activity of grapefruit seed and pulp ethanol extract. Acta Pharm. 54(3):243-50