Antioxidant and antiproliferative properties of a tocotrienol-rich fraction from grape seeds

The antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of a tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) obtained from grape seeds were evaluated. TRF, a mixture of γ-tocopherol and α- and γ-tocotrienol, was prepared from a methanol-soluble fraction of grape seed oils by eluting with 10% ether (v/v) using silica gel chromatography. TRF had significantly higher antioxidant and antiproliferative activities compared to other fractions. TRF showed 3.5-, 40.0-, and 39.0-fold higher ABTS radical scavenging activity, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and reducing power, respectively, compared to α-tocopherol fraction (5% diethyl ether fraction). TRF had higher antiproliferative activity against MCF7 (81%) and NCI-H460 (76%) cells at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml. The results suggest that TRF from grape seeds has significant health-promoting effects, having excellent antioxidant and anticancer activities.