Characterization of the Trans-Epithelial Transport of Green Tea (C. sinensis) Catechin Extracts with In Vitro Inhibitory Effect against the SARS-CoV-2 Papain-like Protease Activity

This work describes an untargeted analytical approach for the screening, identification, and characterization of the trans-epithelial transport of green tea (Camellia sinensis) catechin extracts with in vitro inhibitory effect against the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro) activity. After specific catechin extraction, a chromatographic separation obtained six fractions were carried out. The fractions were assessed in vitro against the PLpro target. Fraction 5 showed the highest inhibitory activity against the SARS-CoV-2 PLpro (IC₅₀ of 0.125 μg mL^-1). The untargeted characterization revealed that (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG) was the most abundant compound in the fraction and the primary molecule absorbed by differentiated Caco-2 cells. Results indicated that fraction 5 was approximately 10 times more active than ECG (IC₅₀ value equal to 11.62 ± 0.47 μg mL^-1) to inhibit the PLpro target. Overall, our findings highlight the synergistic effects of the various components of the crude extract compared to isolated ECG.

Characterization of CBL-CIPK signaling complexes and their involvement in cold response in tea plant

Calcineurin B-like (CBL) proteins, a class of Ca²⁺-binding proteins, play vital roles in calcium signal transduction by interacting specifically with CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs), and these two gene families and their interacting complexes are involved in regulating plant responses to various environmental stimuli. In the present study, eight CBL and 25 CIPK genes were identified in tea plant and divided into four and five subfamilies, respectively. Analysis of the expression of these genes in response to abiotic stresses (mature leaves treated with cold, salinity, and PEG and young shoots treated with cold) revealed that CsCBL1/3/5 and CsCIPK1/4/5/6a/7/8/10b/10c/12/14a/19/23a/24 could be induced by at least two stresses. Under cold stress, CsCBL9 and CsCIPK4/6a/6b/7/11/14b/19/20 were upregulated in both mature leaves and young shoots, CsCBL1/3/5 and CsCIPK1/8/10a/10b/10c/12/14a/23a/24 were induced only in mature leaves, and CsCIPK5/25 were induced only in young shoots. Yeast two-hybrid analysis showed that CsCBL1 could interact with CsCIPK1/10b/12 but not with CsCIPK6a/7/11/14b/20. CsCBL9 was found to interact with CsCIPK1/10b/12/14b but not with CsCIPK6a/7/11/20. These results suggest divergent responses to cold stress regulated by CBL-CIPK complexes between tea plant and Arabidopsis, as well as between mature leaves and young shoots in tea plant. A model of Ca²⁺-CsCBL-CsCIPK module-mediated abiotic stress signaling in tea plant is proposed.

Exogenous abscisic acid induces the lipid and flavonoid metabolism of tea plants under drought stress

Abscisic acid (ABA) is an important phytohormone responsible for activating drought resistance, but the regulation mechanism of exogenous ABA on tea plants under drought stress was rarely reported. Here, we analyzed the effects of exogenous ABA on genes and metabolites of tea leaves under drought stress using transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. The results showed that the exogenous ABA significantly induced the metabolic pathways of tea leaves under drought stress, including energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and flavonoids biosynthesis. In which, the exogenous ABA could clearly affect the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis. Meanwhile, it also increased the contents of flavone, anthocyanins, flavonol, isoflavone of tea leaves under drought stress, including, kaempferitrin, sakuranetin, kaempferol, and decreased the contents of glycerophospholipids, glycerolipids and fatty acids of tea leaves under drought stress. The results suggested that the exogenous ABA could alleviate the damages of tea leaves under drought stress through inducing the expression of the genes and altering the contents of metabolites in response to drought stress. This study will be helpful to understand the mechanism of resilience to abiotic stress in tea plant and provide novel insights into enhancing drought tolerance in the future.

The benefits of respective and combined use of green tea polyphenols and ERK inhibitor on the survival and neurologic outcomes in cardiac arrest rats induced by ventricular fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Cerebral injury is a main factor contributing to a high mortality after cardiac arrest (CA)/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the effect of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) and ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (PD) on the survival and neurologic outcomes after CA/CPR in rats.

METHODS

First, rats were subjected to CA after CPR. The rats that restored spontaneous circulation were blindly allocated to the saline group (saline, IV, n = 12), the GTP group (GTPs, 10 mg/kg, IV, n = 12), the PD group (PD, 0.3 mg/kg, IV, n = 12), and the GTPs + PD group (GTPs, 10 mg/kg; PD, 0.3 mg/kg, IV, n = 12). Another 12 rats without experiencing CA and CPR were served as a sham group. Survival and the neurologic deficit score were observed for 72 hours after restoration of spontaneous circulation. Second, same experimental procedures were performed, and in 1 of 5 groups, animals were divided into 4 subgroups further according to the different time points (12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after restoration of spontaneous circulation [ROSC], n = 6/group). Brain tissues were harvested at relative time points for the morphologic evaluation as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS), malonylaldehyde, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) measurement.

RESULTS

Green tea polyphenols, PD, and a combination of GTPs and PD used after ROSC alleviated the morphologic changes of the cerebrum. These 3 treatments also decreased the productions of ROS and malonylaldehyde, increased SOD activities in cerebral tissues, and improved the neurologic deficit and survival rates at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after ROSC.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of GTPs and PD after ROSC can alleviate cerebral injury, improve the survival and neurologic outcomes via reduction of ROS, and increase of SOD activity in a rat CA/CPR model.

[Effects of different irrigation treatments on photosynthesis of Tieguanyin tea plants]

By using chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics technique, the effects of different irrigation intervals, i.e., 5 d (T1), 10 d (T2), 15 d (T3), 20 d (T4), and 25 d (T5), on the photosynthesis of 2-year Tieguanyin tea plants were investigated in the field, with no irrigation as the control. The results showed that the leaf water potential and chlorophyll content decreased with increasing irrigation interval, while the net photosynthesis (P) increased first and decreased then, reaching its highest value (15.55, micromol x m(-2) x s(-1)) in treatment T2. The ratio of the variable to maximal fluorescence (F(v)/F(m)), the variable fluorescence quenching (deltaF(v)), and the variable fluorescence quenching rate (deltaF(v)/F(o)) all got the highest in treatment T2, being 0.844, 342.5, and 4.03, respectively. The initial fluorescence (F(o)) decreased with increasing irrigation interval, while a reverse changing trend of F(o) was observed in the control, demonstrating that PS II reaction center was damaged by drought stress. In conclusion, irrigating per 10 d was favorable to the photosynthetic electron transport and CO2 assimilation of the tea plants, which would enhance their photosynthesis efficiency.

Black Tea Improves Endothelial Function in Renal Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

Endothelial damage and dysfunction are commonplace in renal transplant recipients. Impaired endothelial function is an important contributor to cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesized that short-term black tea consumption may improve endothelium-dependent arterial dilation in kidney recipients.

METHODS

Fifteen recipients were studied on an outpatient basis in a single, university-affiliated clinic. Inclusion criteria were stable and good allograft function. The main exclusion criteria were uncontrolled hypertension, smoking, alcohol consumption, coffee drinking, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease, or a history of upper limb vascular manipulations. After overnight fasting, the brachial artery diameter (BAD) was measured at the end of diastole using an ultrasound machine before (basal BAD) and 1 minute after temporary ( approximately 3 minutes) external occlusion (posthyperemia BAD). Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMV) and percent of FMV (FMV%) were calculated by appropriate formula. FMV and FMV% were determined at baseline and 2 hours after consuming 0.5 L freshly brewed black tea. For control, the study was repeated for each patient the next day and FMV and FMV% were determined before and 2 hours after consuming 0.5 L of water.

RESULTS

The men age of patients was 37.2 +/- 9.7 years (range, 25 to 50) with a male:female ratio of 3:2. Patients were 26.8 +/- 10.6 months postrenal transplantation. Black tea consumption significantly increased posthyperemia BAD, FMV, and FMV% (P<.05). However, water consumption did not alter the basal or posthyperemia BAD, FMV, or FMV% (P>.05).

CONCLUSION

Based on our study, short-term consumption of black tea may improve endothelial function and endothelium-dependent arterial vasodilation in renal transplant recipients.

Metabolically active functional food ingredients for weight control

The scale of the obesity epidemic creates a pressing consumer need as well as an enormous business opportunity for successful development and marketing of food products with added benefits for weight control. A number of proposed functional food ingredients have been shown to act post-absorptively to influence substrate utilization or thermogenesis. Characteristics and supporting data on conjugated linoleic acid, diglycerides, medium-chain triglycerides, green tea, ephedrine, caffeine, capsaicin and calcium, are reviewed here, giving examples of how these could act to alter energy expenditure or appetite control. Consideration is also given to other factors, in addition to efficacy, which must be satisfied to get such ingredients into foods. We conclude that, for each of the safe, putatively metabolically active agents, there remain gaps in clinical evidence or knowledge of mechanisms, which need to be addressed in order to specify the dietary conditions and food product compositions where these ingredients could be of most benefit for weight control.

(−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a polyphenolic compound from green tea, inhibits fibroblast adhesion and migration through multiple mechanisms

It is increasingly evident that the stromal cells are involved in key metastatic processes of melanoma and some malignant solid tumors. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenolic compound from green tea, has been shown to have anti-tumor activity, inhibiting adhesion, migration, and proliferation of tumor cells. However, little attention has been paid on its effects on stromal cells. In the present study, we determined the effects of EGCG on stromal fibroblasts. We showed that fibroblast adhesion to collagen, fibronectin, and fibrinogen were inhibited by EGCG. One of the possible mechanisms is binding of EGCG to fibronectin and fibrinogen but not to collagen. We then focused how EGCG affected fibroblast adhesion to collagen. EGCG treatment attenuated the antibody binding to fibroblast's integrin alpha2beta1, indicating EGCG may affect the expression and affinity of integrin alpha2beta1. Moreover, intracellular H2O2 level was decreased by EGCG treatment, suggesting that the tonic maintenance of intracellular H2O2 may be required for cell adhesion to collagen. In parallel, collagen-induced FAK phosphorylation, actin cytoskeleton reorganization in fibroblasts, migration and matrix metalloproteinase(s) (MMPs) activity were also affected by EGCG. Tubular networks formed by melanoma cells grown on three-dimensional Matrigel were also disrupted when fibroblasts were treated with EGCG in a non-contact coculture system. Taken together, we provided here the first evidence that EGCG is an effective inhibitor on behaviors of the stromal fibroblasts, affecting their adhesion and migration. The inhibitory activity of EGCG may contribute to its anti-tumor activity. The findings and concepts disclosed here may provide important basis for a further experiment towards understanding tumor-stroma interaction.

Iron bioavailability and weight gains to iron-deficient rats fed a commonly consumed Tunisian meal 'bean seeds ragout' with or without beef and with green or black tea decoction

The Fe bioavailability and the weight gains were evaluated in rats fed a commonly consumed Tunisian meal 'bean seeds ragout' (BSR), with or without beef and with black or green tea decoction. The Fe bioavailability was evaluated in Fe-deficient rats by the hemoglobin repletion method and the Fe stored in the liver. The addition of beef to the BSR significantly increased the Fe bioavailability from this meal by 147% and the reserve of Fe stored in the liver by 77% (P < 0.001). In contrast, both black and green tea decoctions caused a significant decrease of the Fe bioavailability from BSR meal (-19.6 +/- 4.9% and -14.9 +/- 4.1%, respectively). The reserve of Fe stored in the liver was significantly lower in the BSR, the black and the green tea groups than in the positive control group (FeSO4). The weight gains were significantly lower in the black and the green tea groups (3.9 +/- 5.7 g, 13 +/- 1.9 g, respectively) than in the BSR group (24.9 +/- 6 g). The addition of beef to BSR meal counteracted the inhibitory effect of the kidney bean and considerably improved the Fe bioavailability and the Fe stored in the liver of rats. The green tea decoction, which constitutes an important source of antioxidant factors, had the same inhibitory effect as the black tea decoction on the Fe bioavailability from BSR meal. In addition, both black and green teas significantly reduced the weight gains, where the black tea decoction has the most effect.

Protective effect of Boldo and tea infusions on the visible light-mediated pro-oxidant effects of vitamin B2, riboflavin

The effect of Boldo and black tea infusions on the pro-oxidant effects of vitamin B2, riboflavin (RF), when exposed to the action of visible light was studied. The amounts of antioxidants present in Boldo and tea infusions were evaluated by a procedure based on the bleaching of preformed 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cations and were expressed as 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2-carboxylic acid equivalent concentrations. The quenching rate constants of singlet oxygen (1O2; [kq]Boldo = 6.0 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) and [kq]Tea = 3.2 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1)) and triplet RF (3RF; [3RFkq]Boldo = 10 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) and [3RFkq]TEA = 3.2 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1)) with Boldo and tea were determined by flash photolysis. These data allow a quantitative interpretation of the results obtained. Our data suggest that most of the oxygen consumption observed in the photolysis of RF in the presence of tea and Boldo infusions is caused by 1O2 reactions. The oxygen consumption quantum yield is considerably smaller than the fraction of RF triplets trapped by the additives (AH) present in the infusion, indicating that their interaction with 3RF does not lead to chemical reactions or that the AH*+ radical ions initially formed participate in secondary processes that do not consume oxygen. Boldo and tea infusions have a significant protective effect when a system containing RF and tryptophan (Trp) is exposed to visible light, not only by quenching the 1O2 and interfering with the Type-I mechanism but also by repairing the damage to Trp molecules associated with the latter mechanism.

Dominant fungi in the rhizosphere of established tea bushes and their interaction with the dominant bacteria under in situ conditions

Species of Penicillium and Trichoderma were found to dominate the rhizosphere of established tea bushes in a detailed study conducted from various tea growing locations in India. Penicillium erythromellis, P. janthinellum, P. raistrickii, Trichoderma pseudokoningii and T. koningii were found to be closely associated with tea roots. While seasonal fluctuation was observed in the case of Penicillium spp., the population of Trichoderma spp. showed less variation during the year. Both species were sensitive to low temperatures. In general, fungi associated with the tea rhizosphere were found to prefer a mesophillic temperature range (15 degrees C to 35 degrees C). The dominant species of Penicillium and Trichoderma also exhibited tolerance to lower temperatures, i.e., 5 to 10 degrees C on agar plates. Most fungi were able to grow in a wide range of pH (4 to 12). Lowering of soil pH in the rhizosphere of tea bushes was positively correlated with the age of the bush and may have affected the development of a specific microbial community in the rhizosphere. The populations of Penicillium and Trichoderma species were inversely correlated with the populations of two most dominant rhizosphere bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and B. mycoides. Both Bacillus species have been shown to have antagonistic activity against these two fungi under in vitro conditions. The present study demonstrates the existence of a similar antagonism under in situ conditions in the rhizosphere of established tea bushes.

Cycling treatment of anaerobic and aerobic incubation increases the content of γ -aminobutyric acid in tea shoots

Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a hypotensive compound, is formed from glutamic acid under anaerobic condition in tea shoots. Glutamic acid was exhausted in the first three hours of anaerobic incubation and the increase of GABA stopped. After that, when tea shoots were released under aerobic condition, glutamic acid reproduced rapidly. After one hour of aerobic incubation, tea shoots were given three hours of anaerobic incubation again and then accumulated glutamic acid changed to GABA. The content of GABA increased much more than usual anaerobic incubation. GABA was more in the tea stem than in the leaf.

Effect of black tea on lipid peroxidation in carbon tetrachloride treated male rats

This study examined the effects of black tea (Camellia sinensis L.) on lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated male Wistar rats. Three groups of rats formed two control groups and one treatment group. The control groups were fed with a standard diet, while the black tea group were fed the standard diet plus 6% by weight dried black tea leaves. After two months, the rats in the black tea group and in one control group were administered a single dose of CCl4 (1 ml/kg, i.p.) and sacrificed two hours later. Rats in the other control group were administered olive oil in a similar fashion. Lipid peroxide levels in liver and plasma, glutathione (GSH) levels in liver and alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities in plasma were measured. Rats in the black tea group were found to have significantly decreased liver lipid peroxide levels, and ALT and AST activities compared with the rats in the CCl4-treated control group. In addition, liver glutathione levels were decreased in the black tea group. These data suggest that black tea attenuates CCl4-induced hepatic injury.

Effect of tea and other dietary factors on iron absorption

Iron deficiency is a major world health problem, that is, to a great extent, caused by poor iron absorption from the diet. Several dietary factors can influence this absorption. Absorption enhancing factors are ascorbic acid and meat, fish and poultry; inhibiting factors are plant components in vegetables, tea and coffee (e.g., polyphenols, phytates), and calcium. After identifying these factors their individual impact on iron absorption is described. Specific attention was paid to the effects of tea on iron absorption. We propose a calculation model that predicts iron absorption from a meal. Using this model we calculated the iron absorption from daily menus with varying amounts of enhancers and inhibitors. From these calculations we conclude that the presence of sufficient amounts of iron absorption enhancers (ascorbic acid, meat, fish, poultry, as present in most industrialized countries) overcomes inhibition of iron absorption from even large amounts of tea. In individuals with low intakes of heme iron, low intakes of enhancing factors and/or high intakes of inhibitors, iron absorption may be an issue. Depletion of iron stores enhances iron absorption, but this effect is not adequate to compensate for the inhibition of iron absorption in such an inadequate dietary situation. For subjects at risk of iron deficiency, the following recommendations are made. Increase heme-iron intake (this form of dietary iron present in meat fish and poultry is hardly influenced by other dietary factors with respect to its absorption); increase meal-time ascorbic acid intake; fortify foods with iron. Recommendations with respect to tea consumption (when in a critical group) include: consume tea between meals instead of during the meal; simultaneously consume ascorbic acid and/or meat, fish and poultry.

Acute effects of ingestion of black and green tea on lipoprotein oxidation

BACKGROUND

Tea has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. One proposed mechanism of this risk reduction involves inhibition of lipoprotein oxidation in vivo by antioxidant polyphenolic compounds derived from tea. However, controlled interventions uniformly failed to show that ingestion of tea can inhibit LDL oxidation ex vivo. The absence of effects in previous studies may be due to the isolation of LDL particles from polyphenolic compounds that are present in the aqueous phase of serum.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to examine the acute effects of ingestion of black and green tea on ex vivo Cu(2+)-induced lipoprotein oxidation without prior isolation of lipoproteins from serum.

DESIGN

The acute effects of 4 hot drinks-green tea and black tea (each at a dose equivalent to 4 standard cups), water matched to the teas for caffeine content, and water-were assessed in 20 healthy men by using a Latin-square design. The lag time to lipoprotein diene formation, slope of the propagation phase of the oxidation curve, and area under the oxidation curve were calculated. Urinary concentrations of 4-O-methylgallic acid were used as a marker of uptake and metabolism of polyphenolic compounds from tea.

RESULTS

Significant increases in urinary 4-O-methylgallic acid for black and green tea (P < 0. 0001) were observed. Caffeine did not significantly influence lipoprotein oxidation. Compared with the water control, there was a greater lag time for black tea (5.4 +/- 2.9 min; P = 0.05) that was of borderline significance and a similar trend for green tea (4.4 +/- 2.8 min; P = 0.17). Slope and area under the oxidation curve were not altered.

CONCLUSION

Black tea has a mild acute effect on ex vivo lipoprotein oxidation in human serum. 2000;71:-7.

Prediction of dietary iron absorption: an algorithm for calculating absorption and bioavailability of dietary iron

BACKGROUND

Dietary iron absorption from a meal is determined by iron status, heme- and nonheme-iron contents, and amounts of various dietary factors that influence iron absorption. Limited information is available about the net effect of these factors.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to develop an algorithm for predicting the effects of factors known to influence heme- and nonheme-iron absorption from meals and diets.

DESIGN

The basis for the algorithm was the absorption of iron from a wheat roll (22.1 +/- 0.18%) containing no known inhibitors or enhancers of iron absorption and adjusted to a reference dose absorption of 40%. This basal absorption was multiplied by the expected effect of different amounts of dietary factors known to influence iron absorption: phytate, polyphenols, ascorbic acid, meat, fish and seafood, calcium, egg, soy protein, and alcohol. For each factor, an equation describing the dose-effect relation was developed. Special considerations were made for interactions between individual factors.

RESULTS

Good agreement was seen when measurements of iron absorption from 24 complete meals were compared with results from use of the algorithm (r(2) = 0.987) and when mean iron absorption in 31 subjects served a varied whole diet labeled with heme- and nonheme-iron tracers over a period of 5 d was compared with the mean total iron absorption calculated by using the algorithm (P = 0.958).

CONCLUSIONS

This algorithm has several applications. It can be used to predict iron absorption from various diets, to estimate the effects expected by dietary modification, and to translate physiologic into dietary iron requirements from different types of diets.

Irritability during the month of Ramadan

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that people in Morocco are more irritable during the month of Ramadan than during the rest of the year. Our objectives were to measure irritability in fasting Muslims during the month of Ramadan, to describe its various modes of expression, and to examine risk factors for this irritability.

METHODS AND SUBJECTS

We studied 100 healthy volunteers during the month of Ramadan for two successive years (1994 and 1995). All subjects were male (mean age, 32+/-5.8 years), and 51% of them were smokers. Irritability was assessed over a 6-week period (before, four times during, and after the end of Ramadan). We assessed both subjective (visual analog scale) and objective irritability. We also recorded the consumption of psychostimulants, duration of sleep, and anxiety level as measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Scale.

RESULTS

Irritability was significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers before the beginning of Ramadan. It was higher in both groups during the Ramadan month. Irritability increased continuously during Ramadan and reached its peak at the end of the month. Consumption of psychostimulants (coffee and tea) and anxiety level followed the same pattern. Smokers and nonsmokers had a similar pattern of irritability over time, but irritability increased more in smokers than in nonsmokers.

Effect of tea on the formation of DNA adducts by azoxymethane

1. The effect of black tea on the conversion of azoxymethane (AOM) to DNA reactive metabolites was studied in four groups of the male F344 rat. Each received 1.25% solutions of tea for 2 or 6 weeks, and simultaneous controls drank water. All rats were injected s.c. twice with 15 mg/kg AOM after the first or fifth week respectively, on tea or water, and again 1 week later. Groups were killed 6 h after the last dose, or 18 h later. The liver and colon were rapidly removed and rinsed with buffer solution, pH 7.0. DNA was isolated from these tissues, and DNA methylation was examined by the typical fluorescence of 06-methylated and N-7-methylated products, separated by HPLC. 2. Two or 6 weeks of tea intake failed to affect significantly the formation of alkylated DNA from liver and colon compared with controls drinking water. Only in the group of rats on tea for 6 weeks, and killed 6 h after the last dose of AOM, was the O6-methyldG and 7-methyldG decreased in DNA obtained from colon. 3. Thus, solutions of tea affected the formation of alkylated products in DNA of the colon of rats given AOM only at one time point, but did not do so under most other experimental conditions. The underlying mechanism is based on our previous finding that tea does not affect cytochrome P4502E1 that our group established to be the enzyme metabolizing AOM.

Gravitropic reaction in the growth of tea roots

In Japan, tea (Camellia sinenis (L.) Kuntze) seedlings are propagated by cutting. A root system of clonal plants by cutting consists of adventitious roots and lateral roots. Most of the roots grow horizontally, which results in a shallow distribution of the root system. Such a shallow root system could be one of the factors contributing to the deterioration of nutrient uptake and resistance to water stress. Gravitropism of the roots is considered to be a decisive factor that controls the depth of a root system. The authors have investigated changes in the growth direction of roots to gravitative stimulus, using several kinds of roots (seminal roots, lateral roots and adventitious roots). Furthermore, amyloplasts in the root-cap cells, which are considered to be an equipment sensing gravistimulus, were observed. Seminal roots prominently showed orthogravitropism and contained many amyloplast particles in their root cap cells. Most lateral and adventitious roots showed plagiogravitropism, growing in an angle to gravistimulus, and lacked observable amyloplast particles in their root cap cells. The results suggest that the shallowing of root systems of elonal tea plants could be attributed to a gravitropic reaction of the adventitious and lateral roots composing the root system. There could also be a close relationship between the growth direction of roots and the presence of amyloplasts in root-cap cells.

Effect of tea polyphenols on histamine release from rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells: the structure-inhibitory activity relationship

We studied the effect of tea polyphenols on histamine release from rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. Among tea polyphenols, (-)- epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) most strongly and dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from cells stimulated with a calcium ionophore, A23187. (-)-Epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) with a triphenol residue moderately inhibited histamine release, whereas diphenolic (+)-catechin (C) and (-)-epicatechin (EC) did not. The magnitude of the inhibitory effect was in the order EGCG > ECG > EGC. Among simple polyphenols, the triphenol compounds, pyrogallol (PG) and gallic acid (GA) exerted inhibitory activity, but the diphenols, pyrocatechol, hydroquinone, and resorcinol did not. In addition, the mixture of PG and GA inhibited histamine release as strongly as EGCG with two triphenol residues. Similarly, they inhibited histamine release induced by IgE-antigen complex stimulation more efficiently than that induced by A23187 stimulation. EGCG did not inhibit the increase of intracellular Ca2+ in RBL-2H3 cells stimulated with A23187 or IgE antigen. These results indicate that the triphenol structure plays an important role in the inhibitory activity of tea polyphenols. Their activity seemed to be exerted through the metabolic events occurring after the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration.

Tea and cancer: a review of the epidemiological evidence

Numerous recent reports of inhibition of carcinogenesis in experimental animals by tea or tea compounds raise the possibility that tea drinking may lower cancer risk in humans. Thus, studies around the world were reviewed to evaluate whether there is a consensus of epidemiologic evidence on the relation of tea drinking to cancer overall or to specific cancers. Ecological data suggest at most a modest benefit, since there is considerable international variation in tea consumption but generally small differences in cancer rates. More relevant case-control and cohort studies show mixed results. Detailed data from these studies on cancer risks according to amount and duration of tea intake are quite limited, and consistent dose-related patterns. have yet to emerge. Nevertheless, several investigations point to the possibility of lowered risks of digestive tract cancers among tea drinkers, especially those consuming green tea. Further research, particularly in population with wide ranges of tea consumption, is needed before definitive conclusions on tea's impact upon cancer risk can be reached.

In vivo antioxidant effect of green and black tea in man

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of the vitro antioxidant activity of green and black tea, their in vivo effect on plasma antioxidant potential in man and the effect of milk addition.

DESIGN

The antioxidant activity of the tea, with and without milk, was tested in vitro by measuring the length of the peroxyl radical induced lag-phase. The in vivo activity was tested on two groups of five healthy adults. Each group ingested 300 ml of either black or green tea, after overnight fast. The experiment was repeated on a separate day, adding 100 ml whole milk to the tea (ratio 1:4 ). Five subjects acted as controls. The human plasma antioxidant capacity (TRAP) was measured before and 30, 50 and 80 min from the ingestion of tea.

RESULTS

Both teas inhibited the in vitro peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. Green tea was sixfold more potent than black tea. The addition of milk to either tea did not appreciably modify their in vitro antioxidant potential. In vivo, the ingestion of tea produced a significant increase of TRAP (P <0.05), similar in both teas, which peaked at 30-50 min. When tea was consumed with milk, their in vivo activity was totally inhibited.

CONCLUSIONS

The paper shows that tea possesses a strong antioxidant activity in vitro which is believed to be exerted by its polyphenols moiety. It also provides compelling evidence that tea has also a potent in vivo activity in man. The promptness of the in vivo response suggests that the absorption of the bioactive components of tea takes place in the upper part of the gastrointestinal system. The inhibition of this effect by milk is thought to be due to the complexation of tea polyphenols by milk proteins. These findings might help to clarify the putative role of dietary poly- phenols in modulating oxidative stress in vivo.

[Observations on the germinability in vitro of pollen from Camellia japonica L. (Theaceae)]

Pollen grains from samples of Camellia japonica living in soil (A) and in greenhouse (B) were collected daily from just-opened anthers. The pollen was sown in various liquid media and incubated at 28 C. Higher germinative ability of A in comparison with B was observed and related to the relative humidity which is higher in soil than in greenhouse. This phenomenon recurs even if the composition of the culture medium is changed. However the composition of the medium greatly influences the percentage of germination of both A and B notwithstanding the environmental conditions. The pollen collected from anthers dehiscing in the first day of the anthesis has a high germinative ability which suddenly decreases in the ripe pollen of the following days.