Narrow Results

The concentrations of alkali elements in Japanese green tea leaves were evaluated using particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis combined with an internal standard method to investigate the elution of radioactive cesium into green tea using potassium and rubidium. The concentrations of potassium and rubidium of used tea leaf samples were lower than those of unused samples, whereas no significant differences in the concentrations of the other elements were observed between them. In addition, we found a similarity in the relative concentrations between potassium and rubidium although the other elements showed different aspects. These results suggest that it is possible to investigate the elution of radioactive cesium into green tea using potassium and rubidium as substitutes of cesium.

We performed a particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis of tea leaf samples (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) to evaluate the possibility of internal radiation exposure due to the intake of green tea contaminated with ${}^{134,137}$Cs and ${}^{90}$Sr. The tea leaf samples were obtained from tea trees (Camellia sinensis cv. ‘Yabukita’) cultivated with stable Cs and Sr added to the soil. We prepared the used leaf samples which were placed in distilled hot water (90${}^{\circ }$ for 1 min) as well as the unused leaf samples. The results of PIXE analysis combined with the internal standard method using Indium as a standard element showed little elution of Ca and Sr from the leaves to green tea, while the concentration of alkali elements, including Cs in the leaf, decreased by 30–40% after the tea was extracted.

Physiological activity of irradiated green tea polyphenol on the human skin was investigated for further industrial application. The green tea polyphenol was separated and irradiated at 40 kGy by γ-ray. For an anti-wrinkle effect, the collagenase inhibition effect was higher in the irradiated sample (65.3%) than that of the non-irradiated control (56.8%) at 200 ppm of the concentration (p < 0.05). Collagen biosynthesis rats using a human fibroblast were 19.4% and 16.3% in the irradiated and the non-irradiated polyphenols, respectively. The tyrosinase inhibition effect, which is related to the skin-whitening effect, showed a 45.2% and 42.9% in the irradiated and the non-irradiated polyphenols, respectively, at a 100 ppm level. A higher than 90% growth inhibition on skin cancer cells (SK-MEL-2 and G361) was demonstrated in both the irradiated and the non-irradiated polyphenols. Thus, the irradiation of green tea polyphenol did not change and even increased its anti-wrinkle, skin-whitening and anticancer effects on the human skin. The results indicated that irradiated green tea polyphenol can be used as a natural ingredient with excellent physiological functions for the human skin through cosmetic or food composition.

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the US. Recent studies found that reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been incriminated in the pathogenesis of both acute and chronic heart diseas. Many botanicals possess antioxidant properties, and these herbal antioxidants may protect against cardiovascular diseases by contributing to the total antioxidant defense system of the human body. In this article, we reviewed the antioxidant components and properties of four putative antioxidant botanicals (i.e., grape seeds, green tea, Scutellaria baicalensis, and American ginseng), and their potential role in treating cardiovascular illness. The antioxidant activities of the herbal active constituents, and the relationship between their chemical structures and biological functions were also discussed. Further investigations are needed on the mechanisms of action of these botanicals as they affect salient cellular and molecular pathways involved in major diseases. Data obtained from future studies will have the potential for translation into practical benefits for human health.

The effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on cell survival was studied by using serum-starved A549 non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells. A MTT assay showed that EGCG significantly increased the viability of serum-starved A549 cells compared to the control cells, though EGCG at high concentration (~300 μM) had no protective effect against serum withdrawal-induced cell apoptosis. Western blots showed increased immunoreactivity for phospho-Akt and phospho-GSK3β in EGCG-treated cells. To determine the mechanism for Akt phosphorylation, cells were pretreated with various kinase inhibitors before exposure to EGCG. Only LY294002 inhibited Akt activation induced by EGCG, implying that EGCG-induced Akt activation is PI3K dependent. Both phospho-Raf-1 and Raf-1 proteins were significantly decreased, whereas B-raf expression was not altered. This suggests that the Raf kinases have no role in the increased cell survival caused by EGCG. This study has shown that EGCG protects A549 cells from apoptosis induced by serum deprivation via Akt activation and this protective effect may limit the clinical use of EGCG in treating and preventing NSCLC.

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Tea is the most frequently consumed beverage worldwide besides water. Generally, there are five most popular types of tea: green, white, black, Pu’er, and oolong. Tea possesses significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, antihypertensive, neuroprotective, and cholesterol-lowering properties. Several research investigations, epidemiological studies, and meta-analyses suggest that tea and its bioactive polyphenolic constituents have numerous beneficial effects on health, including the prevention of many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and obesity. Recently, there are many reports about the resistance of tea to COVID-19 virus on the Internet, which has attracted a lot of attention to tea drinking and the discussion about the pros and cons of tea drinking. Based on our research results and relevant reports form literatures, this review is intended to highlight the beneficial effects and possible side-effects associated with tea consumption, answer 10 questions and point out a few matters for attention.

Background and Aims: Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and affecting 10-15% of females of reproductive age. Oxidative stress has been reported as one of the main promoting factors of this disease. Green tea and its anti-angiogenic and antioxidant properties have promising potential to prevent the progression of endometriosis. This study aims to investigate the effect of green tea extract on endometriotic implant area and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in endometriosis rat models.

Method: Twenty-six Balb/c female rats were randomized into two groups of equal size: experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). All subjects in EG were given green tea extract 3 mg daily for 14 days. Endometriosis was induced on the fourteenth day in all subjects in both groups. The data of the endometriotic implant area and serum SOD were obtained and analyzed fourteen days after the induction of endometriosis.

Results: The endometriotic implant area of the group treated with green tea extract was significantly lower (p=0,022) RR=0,455, 95%CI=0.065-0,96) compared to the control group. The serum level of SOD in EG and CG were 5.33±0.52 ng/ml and 5.20±0.91 ng/ml, respectively (p=0.507).

Conclusion: Green tea extract inhibits endometriotic implant progression and increases the level of serum SOD in endometriosis-induced rat models.