| abstract |
The preparation of extracts of seed coats of lentil (Lens esculenta) as a representative member of the Leguminosae, extracted with a range of volatile solvents, such as methanol, acetone, singly or a mixture with water, and food solvents, such as ethyl acetate and ethanol, to yield such extracts that are water-soluble, which contain a rich mixture of condensed tannins (procyanidins and prodciphinidin as glycosides), together with a flavanone (luteolin) and flavonols (quercetin, kaempferol) and phenolic acids (ferulic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid) and which possess the ability to quench organic free radicals, to scavenge superoxide, to inhibit the oxidation of water soluble nutrients such as vitamin C, as well as the oxidation of fat-soluble nutrients such as essential fatty acids, and to limit damage due to oxidants linked to inflammatory conditions, and to inhibit certain cells responsible for inflammation, is disclosed. |