The extracts of Vitis vinifera are already known and used in the therapy of cardiovascular disorders connected with venous insufficiency, in the treatment of impaired conditions of capillary permeability and resistance and in cicatrization. These extracts, which can be obtained from the seeds of the plant as described in GB-A-1,541,469 or in FR-A-2,092,743, are a mixture of polyphenols such as epicatechin and its polymerization products, in part esterified at the C-3 hydroxyl of the monomer with gallic acid. The phospholipid complexes of the extracts of Vitis vinifera are described in US- 4,963,527 and are at present commercially available under the trade mark Leucoselect.

It has now surprisingly been found that the complexes prepared according to US-4,963,527 exert, when administered systemically, preferably by the oral route, a marked anti-atherosclerotic activity both in animals and in humans.

More specifically, it has been found that the phos- pholipid complexes of oligomeric proanthocyanidins con- taining from 2 to 7 catechin units extracted from Vitis vinifera, prevent or reduce the formation of athero-

sclerotic plaques in a dose-depending relationship.

Such an activity was evidenced in rabbits fed with hypercholesterolemic diet, so as to induce atherosclerotic lesions similar to the human ones at the vascular level, particularly at the aortic arch, ventral aorta, carotids and cerebral vessels. In said model, the above mentioned phospholipid complexes change the macro and microscopical vascular condition reducing, compared with untreated animals, both the number of atheromatous plaques and their severity, with a surprising vascular- tissular benefit. In another atherosclerosis model, with the purpose of cerebral protection, wherein the vasal lumen of rabbit internal carotid had been surgically reduced, while administering a hypercholesterolemic diet rich in saturated fats, a decrease in carotid obstruction, a reduction of vessel walls thickness and an increased survival of the animals were evidenced.

Furthermore, in atherosclerotic patients, a reduction in carotid obstruction due to atheromatous plaques and an improved carotid flow, evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography, were observed.

The phospholipid complexes of the proanthocyanidins extracted from Vitis vinifera can be used in suitable oral formulations, such as tablets, soft-or hard- gelatin capsules, at dosages ranging from 50 to 500 mg two-three times a day, depending on the severity of the disease to treat. The preparation of the pharmaceutical formulations can be carried out according to conventional techniques and excipients.

The following examples illustrate the invention in greater detail.

Example 1 3 groups of 8 New Zealand rabbits each, were treated as follows: Group 1): Control, normal diet Group 2): Hypercholesterolemic diet (0.2% cholesterol) Group 3): Hypercholesterolemic diet + phospholipid complex of extracts of Vitis vinifera (0.2% cholesterol + 2% Leucoselect (R)).

After 8 weeks, during which cholesterol, LDL/VLDL, HDL and triglycerids levels were measured, the animals were killed.

The number, the size and the distribution of the atherosclerotic lesions on thoracic and abdominal aorta were evaluated.

Aorta strips were fixed and stained with Sudan IV to visualize the lesions and to evaluate the vasal cholesterol and the content in oxidized cholesterol by gaschromatography.

The results reported in the following table prove that the treatment with phospholipid complexes of <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> extracts of Vitis vinifera decreases in a statistically significant way the atherosclerotic lesions induced by hypercholesterolemic diet.

Table Treatment area percent of the lesion Group 1 1% Group 2 27% Group 3 5% *p<0.01 compared with group 2

Example 2 Capsules containing 500 mg of phospholipid complex of extracts of Vitis vinifera Composition: Complex of extract of Vitis vinifera with soy phosphatidylcholine 200 mg Lactose 57 mg Modified starch 40 mg Magnesium stearate 3,0 mg Example 3 Gastro-resistant tablets Complex of extract of Vitis vinifera with soy phosphatidylcholine 250 mg Microcrystalline cellulose 118 mg Precipitated silica 3 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Methacrylic acid anionic polymer and esters thereof 12 mg Talc 8 mg Magnesium carbonate 8 mg Maize star 5 mg Gum arabic 159 mg Example 4 Soft-gelatin capsules Complex of extract of Vitis vinifera with soy phosphatidylcholine 266 mg Peanut oil 209 mg Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils 100 mg Soy lecithin 5 mg