Grape Seed Extract safety; new study

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Re-assuring study on GSE toxicity (lack of).

J. Yamakoshi M. Saito S. Kataoka M. Kikuchi

FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY. May. 2002;40(5):599-607

Research and Development Division, Kikkoman Corporation, 399 Noda,

Noda City, 278-0037, Chiba Pref., Japan

MEDLINE® PMID: 11955665 UI: 21952761

Proanthocyanidins, extracted from grape seeds, are widely used mainly

as nutritional supplements. However, there has not been a systematic

report to investigate toxicological studies on proanthocyanidins,

especially in oral administration. In our studies, proanthocyanidin-

rich extract from grape seeds was subjected to a series of

toxicological tests to document its safety for use in various foods.

The grape seed extract (GSE) was examined for acute and subchronic

oral toxicity using Fischer 344 rats and for mutagenic potential by

the reverse mutation test using Salmonella typhimurium, the

chromosomal aberration test using CHL cells, and the micronucleus

test using ddY mice. No evidence of acute oral toxicity at dosages of

2 and 4 g/kg, and no evidence of mutagenicity in the above tests was

found. Administration of GSE as a dietary admixture at levels of

0.02, 0.2 and 2% (w/w) to the rats for 90 days did not induce

noticeable signs of toxicity. The no-observed-adverse-effect level

(NOAEL) of GSE in the subchronic toxicity study was 2% in the diet

(equal to 1410 mg/kg body weight/day in males and 1501 mg/kg body

weight/day in females). The results of our studies indicate a lack of

toxicity and support the use of proanthocyanidin-rich extract from

grape seeds for various foods.