Usda Certified Organic Muscadine Whole Red Grape
Also known as: Muscadine grape, muscadine grape extract, muscadine grape skin/seed extract, USDA Certified Organic Muscadine Whole Red Grape, Vitis rotundifolia
Overview
Muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) is a species of grape native to the southeastern United States, known for its thick skins and high concentration of polyphenols. The supplement is derived from the whole red muscadine grape, including skins and seeds, which are rich in bioactive compounds such as ellagic acid, resveratrol, flavonoids, and tannins. It is categorized as a polyphenol-rich botanical supplement and antioxidant-rich fruit extract. Primary research focuses on its antioxidant, cardioprotective, and anti-cancer properties, with promising preclinical data and emerging clinical research, including phase I trials. The supplement aims to combat oxidative stress, inflammation, and inhibit cellular proliferation.
Benefits
Muscadine grape extract (MGE) demonstrates significant anti-cancer activity in preclinical studies, inhibiting tumor cell growth, inducing apoptosis, reducing metastasis, and enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs like trastuzumab in breast cancer models. Its cardioprotective effects have been observed in hypertensive rat models, where muscadine grape skin/seed extract (MGES) prevented diastolic dysfunction and reduced oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on grape polyphenols, including muscadine, showed a modest but statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure. Additionally, MGE improves endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and catalase, in cardiac tissue, enhancing the body's defense against oxidative stress. These benefits suggest potential for individuals with metastatic solid tumors, hypertension, and those seeking to improve cardiovascular health.
How it works
Muscadine grape extract exerts its effects primarily through potent antioxidant activity, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulating endogenous antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and catalase. In cancer models, it inhibits tumor cell proliferation and migration, induces apoptosis (programmed cell death), and modulates inflammatory cytokines. The extract interacts with the cardiovascular system by improving cardiac function and reducing oxidative damage, and with the immune system by modulating cytokine responses. Its known molecular targets include ROS, tumor cell cycle regulators, apoptotic pathways, and potentially angiotensin II signaling, which is relevant to hypertension. The bioavailability of muscadine polyphenols can vary, but whole grape extracts may offer synergistic effects due to their complex compound profile.
Side effects
Muscadine grape extract appears to be safe and well-tolerated, as indicated by a phase I clinical trial in patients with metastatic solid tumors over four weeks, which reported no significant adverse events or common side effects (above 5%). Uncommon (1-5%) and rare (<1%) side effects have not been specified in the available research. Potential interactions with chemotherapy agents, such as trastuzumab, may be synergistic, but caution is advised, and no adverse interactions have been reported. There are no specific contraindications identified, though caution is recommended for cancer patients undergoing active treatment. Safety in special populations, including pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, or individuals with severe comorbidities, has not been established and requires further research.
Dosage
The minimum effective dose for muscadine grape extract has not been definitively established, and optimal dosage ranges are not yet standardized. Clinical trials are ongoing to determine these parameters. A phase I trial used escalating doses over four weeks to assess safety and maximum tolerated dose, but specific details on the maximum safe dose are not publicly available. Daily administration is typical in studies. It is recommended to use whole grape skin and seed extracts that are standardized for polyphenol content. Absorption of polyphenols may be enhanced when consumed with food or fats. No specific cofactors are identified as required for its efficacy.
FAQs
Is muscadine grape extract effective for cancer?
Preclinical evidence supports anti-cancer effects, but clinical evidence is preliminary, focusing mainly on safety and tolerability rather than definitive efficacy.
Can it lower blood pressure?
Yes, a meta-analysis suggests that grape polyphenols, including those from muscadine, may modestly reduce systolic blood pressure.
Is it safe to take with medications?
It is generally considered safe, but individuals, especially those undergoing cancer treatment, should consult their healthcare providers due to potential synergistic interactions.
How long before benefits appear?
Animal and preclinical studies suggest benefits may appear after several weeks of administration, but clinical data on the time course of effects are limited.
Is whole grape better than extract?
Most studies use extracts standardized for polyphenols. While whole grape effects are less studied, extracts offer concentrated and consistent dosages for research.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8141001/ – This Phase I clinical trial investigated the safety and tolerability of muscadine grape extract (MGE) in patients with metastatic solid tumors over four weeks. It found MGE to be safe and well-tolerated, supporting preclinical data on its anti-cancer effects and noting secondary outcomes like cytokine modulation. The study, while high-quality for a Phase I trial, had a small sample size and was not powered for efficacy endpoints.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9598776/ – This controlled animal study explored the cardiac effects of muscadine grape skin/seed extract (MGES). It demonstrated that MGES prevented hypertension-induced cardiac dysfunction and reduced oxidative stress markers, while also increasing antioxidant enzyme activity. Although well-controlled, its findings are based on an animal model, requiring human confirmation for applicability.
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0137665 – This high-quality meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examined the effect of grape polyphenols on blood pressure. It concluded that grape polyphenols significantly reduce systolic blood pressure but have no significant effect on diastolic pressure. A limitation is that it included various grape polyphenols, not exclusively muscadine, making specific muscadine effects harder to isolate.
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