Safety evaluation of Tsubaki (Camellia japonica) leaves extract

Abstract

The safety of oral administration of an extract prepared from the leaves of Tsubaki (Camellia japonica) was studied in CD rats by single dosing and repetitive dosing for 28 days. Doses of 500 and 2000 mg/kg of Tsubaki extract were used for evaluation. Consumption of both dose levels by rats showed no abnormalities, indicating the safety of the extract by oral administration. Additionally, the extract was tested by a reverse mutation test using Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. The number of revertants of all bacteria treated with the extract was below the numerical double of the negative control. No mutagenicity of the Tsubaki extract was detected under these experimental conditions.