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Muscadine Red Grape

Q: Is muscadine grape extract safe?

Yes, early-phase clinical data from a study in cancer patients indicate that muscadine grape extract is safe and well-tolerated over a 4-week period, with no significant adverse effects reported.

Q: Does it help with heart disease?

Preclinical evidence, particularly from animal models, suggests that muscadine grape extract has cardioprotective antioxidant effects. However, robust human clinical data to confirm these benefits are currently lacking.

Q: Can it treat cancer?

Preclinical studies show promising anti-cancer activity, including inhibition of tumor growth and induction of apoptosis. While a Phase I clinical trial indicated safety, clinical efficacy in treating cancer in humans remains unproven and requires further research.

Q: How long before benefits appear?

Animal studies have shown effects within weeks. However, human efficacy data are insufficient to determine a specific time frame for benefits to appear, as most human studies have focused on safety.

Q: Are there interactions with medications?

Specific drug interactions are not well-characterized. As polyphenols can influence drug-metabolizing enzymes, caution is advised when taking muscadine grape extract concurrently with other medications.

Also known as: Muscadine grape, Muscadine grape extract, MGE, Muscadine grape skin/seed extract, MGES, Vitis rotundifolia

Overview

Muscadine grape (*Vitis rotundifolia*) is a unique grape species native to the southeastern United States, distinguished by its thick skins and high concentration of beneficial polyphenols, particularly in its skins and seeds. Extracts derived from these parts are investigated as a polyphenol-rich botanical supplement and antioxidant. Key active compounds include ellagic acid, resveratrol, flavonoids, and tannins. Muscadine grape extract (MGE) is primarily studied for its potential cardiovascular protective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, metabolic, and anti-cancer properties. While preclinical research shows promising results in modulating oxidative stress and cellular signaling pathways, the research on MGE is still emerging, with most evidence coming from preclinical studies and early-phase clinical trials. Large-scale human randomized controlled trials specifically on muscadine grape extracts are currently limited, and much of the broader evidence for grape polyphenols is not muscadine-specific.

Benefits

Muscadine grape extract (MGE) shows several potential benefits, primarily supported by preclinical research. Its most prominent effect is **cardiovascular protection**, where studies in rat models have shown that muscadine grape skin/seed extract (MGES) can prevent diastolic dysfunction and reduce markers of oxidative stress like MDA and 4-HNE, while increasing myocardial antioxidant enzymes such as SOD1 and catalase. This suggests a strong antioxidant capacity relevant to heart health. MGE also exhibits **anti-cancer activity** in preclinical settings, demonstrating dose- and time-dependent inhibition of tumor cell growth, induction of apoptosis, and reduced metastasis in breast cancer models. A Phase I clinical trial in patients with metastatic solid tumors indicated safety and tolerability, though efficacy requires further validation. Furthermore, MGE has shown promise in **metabolic and gut microbiome modulation**; in mice fed a Western diet, MGE combined with probiotics improved metabolic parameters and shifted gut microbiota composition, suggesting potential benefits for metabolic syndrome. Secondary effects include general anti-inflammatory properties, observed through the suppression of oxidative and inflammatory stress responses, consistent with other polyphenol preparations. While these findings are encouraging, most quantitative effect sizes are from animal models, and robust human clinical data on efficacy are still needed.

How it works

Muscadine grape extract (MGE) exerts its effects primarily through its rich polyphenol content, which acts as a potent antioxidant. It functions by upregulating endogenous antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and catalase, thereby reducing oxidative stress markers such as lipid peroxidation products (MDA, 4-HNE) and DNA oxidative damage (8-OHdG). This mechanism contributes to its cardioprotective effects. MGE also interacts with various body systems: it provides myocardial protection in the cardiovascular system, modulates the immune system through anti-inflammatory actions, influences cancer cell signaling by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and positively modulates the gut microbiome. Its molecular targets include oxidative stress pathways, inflammatory cytokines, tumor cell proliferation pathways, and specific gut microbial populations. The bioavailability of muscadine polyphenols can be variable and is likely influenced by gut microbiota.

Side effects

Muscadine grape extract (MGE) appears to have a favorable safety profile based on early-phase clinical data. A Phase I clinical trial in cancer patients reported MGE as safe and well-tolerated over a 4-week period, with no significant adverse events noted or common side effects reported (i.e., no side effects occurring in >5% of participants). Uncommon (<5%) and rare (<1%) side effects have not been specified in the available research. However, the safety data are limited to a specific population (cancer patients) and a relatively short duration (4 weeks). Drug interactions with MGE are not well-characterized. As polyphenols can interact with drug-metabolizing enzymes, caution is advised when MGE is taken concurrently with other medications. There are no established contraindications, but due to limited research, caution is recommended for pregnant or lactating women, children, and individuals with severe comorbidities. Further research is needed to fully understand its long-term safety and potential interactions in broader populations.

Dosage

Optimal human dosage ranges for muscadine grape extract (MGE) have not yet been definitively established for efficacy. A Phase I clinical trial focused on determining the maximum tolerated dose, and while no dose-limiting toxicities were reported up to the highest tested dose, this study did not define an optimal efficacy dose. Preclinical studies use varying doses, which are not directly translatable to humans. MGE is typically administered daily, with the duration in the clinical trial being 4 weeks. For supplementation, extracts standardized for polyphenol content are preferred to ensure consistency. While specific absorption factors for muscadine polyphenols are limited, bioavailability may be enhanced by co-administration with food or probiotics. There are no identified required cofactors for its efficacy. Users should be aware that minimum effective doses for specific health benefits in humans are still under investigation, and current human data primarily support safety rather than efficacy at specific doses.

FAQs

Is muscadine grape extract safe?

Yes, early-phase clinical data from a study in cancer patients indicate that muscadine grape extract is safe and well-tolerated over a 4-week period, with no significant adverse effects reported.

Does it help with heart disease?

Preclinical evidence, particularly from animal models, suggests that muscadine grape extract has cardioprotective antioxidant effects. However, robust human clinical data to confirm these benefits are currently lacking.

Can it treat cancer?

Preclinical studies show promising anti-cancer activity, including inhibition of tumor growth and induction of apoptosis. While a Phase I clinical trial indicated safety, clinical efficacy in treating cancer in humans remains unproven and requires further research.

How long before benefits appear?

Animal studies have shown effects within weeks. However, human efficacy data are insufficient to determine a specific time frame for benefits to appear, as most human studies have focused on safety.

Are there interactions with medications?

Specific drug interactions are not well-characterized. As polyphenols can influence drug-metabolizing enzymes, caution is advised when taking muscadine grape extract concurrently with other medications.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9598776/ – This preclinical study in rats investigated the effects of muscadine grape skin/seed extract (MGES) on cardiac function. It found that MGES prevented diastolic dysfunction and reduced oxidative stress markers, while increasing antioxidant enzymes in the heart, suggesting significant cardioprotective effects in an animal model of hypertension.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8141001/ – This Phase I clinical trial evaluated the safety and tolerability of muscadine grape extract (MGE) in patients with metastatic solid tumors. The study concluded that MGE was safe and well-tolerated over a 4-week period, with no dose-limiting toxicities, though secondary outcomes related to cancer progression were exploratory and require further validation.
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/12/22/2599 – This preclinical study in mice explored the impact of muscadine grape extract combined with probiotics on metabolic health. It demonstrated that the combination improved gut microbiota composition and metabolic parameters in mice fed a Western diet, suggesting potential benefits for metabolic syndrome.
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/2/313 – This meta-analysis reviewed the effects of grape polyphenols (not specifically muscadine) on glycemic and blood pressure parameters in human randomized controlled trials. It found limited effects on these specific outcomes, highlighting the need for more targeted research and acknowledging the heterogeneity of studies and grape polyphenol sources.