中压制备液相色谱快速分离制备儿茶素单体

以反相中压制备液相色谱为工具,甲醇-水作为洗脱溶剂,通过C18 (ODS-AQ)填料从茶多酚中一步分离出表没食子儿茶素(EGC)、表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)、表儿茶素(EC)、表儿茶素没食子酸酯(ECG)等四种儿茶素单体.1.0g纯度为92.6％的茶多酚经过中压色谱,制备得到了90 mg EGC、355 mg EGCG、23 mgEC和92mg ECG,它们的纯度分别为91.8％、97.6％、97.7％、99.3％,纯品得率56.0％,四种单体总回收率达到68.2％.四种儿茶素单体的结构经核磁共振氢谱、碳谱以及高分辨质谱加以确证.     

一测多评法测定茶多酚中6种儿茶素类含量

采用HPLC法,以表没食子基儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)为对照品,外标法测定其在茶多酚提取物中的量,并分别测定EGCG与表没食子儿茶素(EGC)、儿茶素(C)、表儿茶素(EC)、没食子基儿茶素没食子酸酯(GCG)和没食子酰表儿茶素(ECG)的相对校正因子,用获得的相对校正因子计算后5种成分的量,实现一测多评;同时,用外标法测茶多酚提取物中EGC、C、EC、GCG和ECG的量。向量夹角余弦法分析,表明外标法的测定值与采用相对校正因子的计算值之间无显著性差异,说明一测多评法可以应用于茶多酚提取物及其制剂的多指标质量评价。     

EGCG防治神经退行性疾病的作用机制

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（epigallocatechin-3-gallate,EGCG）是绿茶多酚成分中的一种主要组分,参与了神经细胞生长与凋亡的调控,研究发现其机制可能与抗氧化损伤和影响MAPK．PKC和PI-3K／Akt等细胞内信号转导通路相关。因此,探讨EGCG的神经保护作用及其机制,将为应用EGCG防治帕金森氏症、阿尔茨海默病等中枢神经系统退行性疾病的基础与临床研究提供理论依据。     

绿茶多酚对小鼠皮肤伤口愈合时白介素-1β表达的影响

表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯[（-）-epigallocatechin-3-gallate,EGCG]是绿茶多酚的主要成分,具有抗氧化、抗衰老、抗肿瘤、抗炎症和杀菌等多种生物学效应。本文通过组织学、ELISA和RT—PCR技术研究了EGCG对皮肤伤口愈合期间损伤部位白介素-1β（interleukin-1β,IL-1β）基因表达及IL-1β分泌水平的影响效应。结果表明EGCG（50mg／L）处理72h后损伤部位的IL-1β基因表达受到抑制、IL—1β含量下降,而早期（24h内）EGCG（50mg／L）处理对IL-1β基因表达以及IL-1β的含量没有显著性影响。     

茶槲寄生“螃蟹脚”中黄酮醇及黄烷醇类化合物的分析

随着古树普洱茶的流行,寄生在古茶树上的茶槲寄生"螃蟹脚"也成为一种饮料,但是相关研究甚少。本文应用三氯化铝比色法和酒石酸铁法分别测定了"螃蟹脚"中黄酮类化合物与茶多酚的总含量;应用HPLC法检测了黄酮醇及表没食子儿茶素(EGC)、表儿茶素(EC)、表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)和表儿茶素没食子酸酯(ECG)4种茶叶中主要的黄烷醇类物质。结果表明:"螃蟹脚"中黄酮类化合物的总含量为7.65 mg/g,检测到了包括杨梅素(0.16 mg/g)、槲皮素(0.03 mg/g)、山柰酚(0.05 mg/g)和6个未知组分在内的9个黄酮醇组分;并检测到EGC、EGCG、ECG三种黄烷醇类物质,但其茶多酚总含量比茶叶低,仅为0.84%。     

线粒体PT孔与细胞凋亡

线粒体在细胞凋亡中有着重要作用,而线粒体PT孔开放是线粒体因素导致细胞凋亡的关键。促凋亡因素通过诱导PT孔的形成,导致线粒体膜电位丧失,使细胞色素C和凋亡诱导因子等释放进入细胞浆,启动细胞凋亡程序,诱导细胞凋亡。本文就目前线粒体PT孔的结构、可能的凋控机制及其在细胞凋亡中作用的研究进展进行综述。     

棕色棉与白色棉缩合单宁单体儿茶素动态变化的比较

以棕色棉ANL-1’和白色棉‘泗棉3号’为材料,利用HPLc检测棉纤维发育过程中儿茶素的动态变化,结果表明：棉种皮中的儿茶素含量高于棉纤维中的,各种儿茶素单体（EGC、C、EC、EGCG、GCG、ECG、cG）的含量在花后30d迅速下降,其中在白色棉纤维中的下降幅度最大;棕色棉和白色棉发育期棉纤维中儿茶素存在很大差异,如棕色棉纤维中有Ec、CG,但在白色棉纤维中却没有发现。初步推断棕色棉与白色棉纤维中缩合单宁结构有较大不同,可能导致棉纤维颜色发生差异。     

绿茶提取物对人肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721体外凋亡的影响

从茶多酚中分离提纯表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(Epigallocatechin gallate,EGCG)单体。体外培养人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞,采用不同浓度的EGCG对其进行干预,用流式细胞仪检测其对肝癌细胞凋亡的影响;免疫细胞化学法和RT-PCR检测EGCG作用于SMMC-7721细胞后对Survivin、突变型P53 mRNA和蛋白表达的影响。结果显示在EGCG的作用下,SMMC-7721凋亡明显增加(P0.05);Survivin和突变型P53蛋白和mRNA表达水平均下调(P0.05)。表明EGCG可能通过下调人肝癌细胞株Survivin和突变型p53的表达,进而促进人肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721凋亡,以达到抗癌作用。     

人工接种冠突散囊菌对白茶主要呈味物质的影响

本文为了排除其他微生物的干扰,首次以人工接种的方式研究了冠突散囊菌Eurotium cristatum对白茶主要呈味物质的作用。采用高效液相色谱、分光光度计等方法,分析表明冠突散囊菌能够显著降低白茶中呈苦涩味的表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（EGCG）和表儿茶素没食子酸酯（ECG）,并提高表没食子儿茶素（EGC）、Asp、His、咖啡碱和山奈酚的含量;灭菌压制的过程中EGCG可能异构化成为更稳定的没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（GCG）,且二者以相近的含量共存。冠突散囊菌可以降低人工发花白茶饼中呈苦涩味的化合物含量,从而达到减少白茶饼苦涩味的效果;灭菌压制过程也能够降低白茶饼的苦涩味物质的含量。“发花”处理为白茶带来了新的风味,可以丰富白茶产品种类,同时为促进粗老原料白茶的综合利用提供新思路。     

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖和迁移

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（epigallocatechin-3-gallate, EGCG）是茶叶活性物质主要成分.EGCG可预防或治疗多种肿瘤.本文旨在探讨EGCG对人乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖、凋亡及迁移力的作用及其机制. 经EGCG处理后,通过流式细胞术及噻唑蓝（MTT）法发现,EGCG使MDA-MB-231细胞周期阻滞,细胞凋亡数量上升,明显抑制乳腺癌细胞的存活率. EGCG处理后,MDA-MB-231细胞的形态由正常的纤维状变为鹅卵石状. 免疫荧光染色及免疫印迹结果表明,其上皮细胞标志物表达量增加,而间质标志物表达量下降. 通过划痕实验发现,EGCG明显抑制了细胞迁移能力. 本文揭示了EGCG通过抑制乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞周期进程,促进间质-上皮转化,抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖和迁移.     

Inhibition of the multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein activity by green tea polyphenols

Many beneficial proprieties have been associated with polyphenols from green tea, such as chemopreventive, anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic and antioxidant actions. In this study, we investigated the effects of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) and their principal catechins on the function of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is involved in the multidrug resistance phenotype of cancer cells. GTPs (30 microg/ml) inhibit the photolabeling of P-gp by 75% and increase the accumulation of rhodamine-123 (R-123) 3-fold in the multidrug-resistant cell line CH(R)C5, indicating that GTPs interact with P-gp and inhibit its transport activity. Moreover, the modulation of P-gp transport by GTPs was a reversible process. Among the catechins present in GTPs, EGCG, ECG and CG are responsible for inhibiting P-gp. In addition, EGCG potentiates the cytotoxicity of vinblastine (VBL) in CH(R)C5 cells. The inhibitory effect of EGCG on P-gp was also observed in human Caco-2 cells, which form an intestinal epithelial-like monolayer. Our results indicate that, in addition to their anti-cancer properties, GTPs and more particularly EGCG inhibit the binding and efflux of drugs by P-gp. Thus, GTPs or EGCG might be potential agents for modulating the bioavailability of P-gp substrates at the intestine and the multidrug resistance phenotype associated with expression of this transporter in cancer cells.     

Mitochondrial Ca2+ transport and permeability transition pore opening and mitochondrial energetic status

The relationship between mitochondrial Ca²⁺ transport and permeability transition pore (PTP) opening as well as the effects of mitochondrial energetic status on mitochondrial Ca²⁺ transport and PTP opening were studied. The results showed that the calcium-induced calcium release from mitochondria (mCICR) induced PTP opening. Inhibitors for electron transport of respiratory chain inhibited mCICR and PTP opening. Partial recovery of electron transport in respiratory chain resulted in partial recovery of mCICR and PTP opening. mCICR and PTP opening were also inhibited by CCCP which eliminated transmembrane proton gradient. The results indicated that mitochondrial Ca²⁺ transport and PTP opening are largely dependent on electron transport and energy coupling.     

Protective effects of methyl gallate on H2O2-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells

Neurodegenerative disorders are a class of diseases that have been linked to apoptosis induced by elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS activates the apoptotic cascade through mitochondrial dysfunction and damage to lipids, proteins and DNA. Recently, fruit and tea-derived polyphenols have been found to be beneficial in decreasing oxidative stress and increasing overall health. Further, polyphenols including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have been reported to inhibit apoptotic signaling and increase neural cell survival. In an effort to better understand the beneficial properties associated with polyphenol consumption, the aim of this study was to explore the neuroprotective effects of EGCG, methyl gallate (MG), gallic acid (GA) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on H₂O₂-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells and elucidate potential protective mechanisms. Cell viability data demonstrates that MG and NAC pre-treatments significantly increase viability of H₂O₂-stressed cells, while pre-treatments with EGCG and GA exacerbates stress. Quantitation of apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential shows that MG pre-treatment prevents mitochondria depolarization, however does not inhibit apoptosis and is thus evidence that MG can inhibit mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Subsequent analysis of DNA degradation and caspase activation reveals that MG inhibits activation of caspase 9 and has a partial inhibitory effect on DNA degradation. These findings confirm the involvement of both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways in H₂O₂-induced apoptosis and suggest that MG may have potential therapeutic properties against mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.     

Prerequisites for ubiquinone analogs to prevent mitochondrial permeability transition-induced cell death

The permeability transition pore (PTP) is a mitochondrial inner membrane channel involved in cell death. The inhibition of PTP opening has been proved to be an effective strategy to prevent cell death induced by oxidative stress. Several ubiquinone analogs are known to powerfully inhibit PTP opening with an effect depending on the studied cell line. Here, we have studied the effects of ubiquinone 0 (Ub₀), ubiquinone 5 (Ub₅) and ubiquinone 10 (Ub₁₀) on PTP regulation, H₂O₂ production and cell viability in U937 cells. We found that Ub₀ induced both PTP opening and H₂O₂ production. Ub₅ did not regulate PTP opening yet induced H₂O₂ production. Ub₁₀ potently inhibited PTP opening yet induced H₂O₂ production. Both Ub₀ and Ub₅ induced cell death, whereas Ub₁₀ was not toxic. Moreover, Ub₁₀ prevented tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced PTP opening and subsequent cell death. We conclude that PTP-inhibitor ubiquinone analogs are able to prevent PTP opening-induced cell death only if they are not toxic per se, which is the case when they have no or low pro-oxidant activity.     

Free radicals generated during oxidation of green tea polyphenols: Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy combined with density functional theory calculations

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations have been used to investigate the redox properties of the green tea polyphenols (GTPs) (?)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (?)-epigallocatechin (EGC), and (?)-epicatechin gallate (ECG). Aqueous extracts of green tea and these individual phenols were autoxidized at alkaline pH and oxidized by superoxide anion (O₂^?) radicals in dimethyl sulfoxide. Several new aspects of the free radical chemistry of GTPs were revealed. EGCG can be oxidized on both the B and the D ring. The B ring was the main oxidation site during autoxidation, but the D ring was the preferred site for O₂^? oxidation. Oxidation of the D ring was followed by structural degradation, leading to generation of a radical identical to that of oxidized gallic acid. Alkaline autoxidation of green tea extracts produced four radicals that were related to products of the oxidation of EGCG, EGC, ECG, and gallic acid, whereas the spectra from O₂^? oxidation could be explained solely by radicals generated from EGCG. Assignments of hyperfine coupling constants were made by DFT calculations, allowing the identities of the radicals observed to be confirmed.     

Effects of Decreasing Mitochondrial Volume on the Regulation of the Permeability Transition Pore

The permeability transition pore (PTP) is a Ca²⁺-sensitive mitochondrial inner membrane channel involved in several models of cell death. Because the matrix concentration of PTP regulatory factors depends on matrix volume, we have investigated the role of the mitochondrial volume in PTP regulation. By incubating rat liver mitochondria in media of different osmolarity, we found that the Ca²⁺ threshold required for PTP opening dramatically increased when mitochondrial volume decreased relative to the standard condition. This shrinkage-induced PTP inhibition was not related to the observed changes in protonmotive force, or pyridine nucleotide redox state and persisted when mitochondria were depleted of adenine nucleotides. On the other hand, mitochondrial volume did not affect PTP regulation when mitochondria were depleted of Mg²⁺. By studying the effects of Mg²⁺, cyclosporin A (CsA) and ubiquinone 0 (Ub₀) on PTP regulation, we found that mitochondrial shrinkage increased the efficacy of Mg²⁺ and Ub₀ at PTP inhibition, whereas it decreased that of CsA. The ability of mitochondrial volume to alter the activity of several PTP regulators represents a hitherto unrecognized characteristic of the pore that might lead to a new approach for its pharmacological modulation.     

Tea catechins reduce inflammatory reactions via mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in toll-like receptor 2 ligand-stimulated dental pulp cells

AimsIn this study, we evaluated whether catechins could inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators induced by dental caries-related bacteria, Streptococci, or pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) stimulation in human dental pulp fibroblasts (HDPF). We further determined the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory activity of catechins.Main methodsStreptococci or PAMP-stimulated HDPF were treated with catechin, and then the expression and production of pro-inflammatory mediators were determined by RT-PCR and ELISA. Furthermore, the signal transduction pathways activated with toll-like receptor (TLR)2 ligand were assessed by Immunoblot and ELISA using blocking assay with specific inhibitors.Key findingsIncreased expressions of pro-inflammatory mediators are found in inflamed dental pulp, especially in HDPF. We recently reported that dental pulpal innate immune responses may mainly result from the predominantly-expressed TLR2 signaling. Catechins, polyphenolic compounds in green tea, exert protective and healing effects through multiple mechanisms, including antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. However, there are no reports concerning the effects of catechins on dental pulp. In this study, we demonstrated that the up-regulated expressions of IL-8 or PGE₂ in Streptococci or PAMP-stimulated HDPF were inhibited by catechins, (?)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (?)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In TLR2 ligand-stimulated HDPF, specific inhibitors of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, p38, c-jun NH₂-terminal kinase (SAP/JNK), NF-κB or catechins markedly reduced the level of pro-inflammatory mediators and the phosphorylation of these signal transduction molecules was suppressed by catechins.SignificanceThese findings suggest that catechins might be useful therapeutically as an anti-inflammatory modulator of dental pulpal inflammation.     

Structure-activity relationship of the tocopherol-regeneration reaction by catechins

The reaction rates (k(r)) of 5,7-diisopropyl-tocopheroxyl radical (Toc) with catechins (epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) and related compounds (methyl gallate (MG), 4-methylcatechol (MC), and 5-methoxyresorcinol (MR)) have been measured by stopped-flow spectrophotometer. The k(r) values increased in the order of MR < < MG < EC < MC approximately ECG < EGC < EGCG in ethanol and 2-propanol/H(2)O (5/1, v/v) solutions, indicating that the reactivity of the OH groups in catechins increased in the order of resorcinol A-ring < < gallate G-ring < catechol B-ring < pyrogallol B-ring. The catechins which have lower oxidation potentials show higher reactivities. The rate constants for catechins in micellar solution showed notable pH dependence with one or two peaks around pH 9-11, because of the dissociation of various phenolic hydroxyl protons in catechins. The structure-activity relationship in the free-radical-scavenging reaction by catechins has been clarified by the detailed analyses of the pH dependence of k(r) values. The reaction rates increased remarkably with increasing the anionic character of catechins, that is, the electron-donating capacity of catechins. The mono anion form at catechol B-and resorcinol A-rings and dianion form at pyrogallol B-and gallate G-rings show the highest activity for free-radical-scavenging. It was found that catechins (EC, ECG, EGC, and EGCG) have activity similar to or higher than that of vitamin C in vitamin E regeneration at pH 7-12 in micellar solution.     

mCICR is required for As2O3-induced permeability transition pore opening and cytochrome c release from mitochondria

The permeability transition pore (PTP) is central for apoptosis by acting as a good candidate pathway for the release of Cyt. c and apoptosis induction factors (AIF). Arsenite induces apoptosis via a direct effect on PTP. To characterize the exact mechanism for arsenite induces PTP opening, the effect of Ca²⁺ on As₂O₃-induced PTP opening, the relationship between As₂O₃-induced PTP opening and Cyt. c release from mitochondria and calcium-induced calcium release from mitochondria (mCICR), and the effects of As₂O₃ on Ca²⁺-induced PTP opening were studied. The results showed As₂O₃ induces Cyt. c release by triggering PTP opening. Ca²⁺ is necessary for As₂O₃-induced PTP opening. As₂O₃-induced PTP opening and Cyt. c release depends on mCICR. As₂O₃ promotes PTP opening by lowering Ca²⁺-threshold. These results indicated As₂O₃ induce Cyt. c release from mitochondria by lowering Ca²⁺-threshold for PTP and triggering mCICR-dependent PTP opening. Suggesting that it is possible to control apoptosis by altering Ca²⁺ threshold and mCICR to modulate PTP opening and Cyt. c release.     

Effect of green tea powder (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Camellia sinensis</Emphasis> L. cv. Benifuuki) particle size on <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-methylated EGCG absorption in rats; The Kakegawa Study

Tea polyphenols, e.g., (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl gallate (EGCG3”Me), (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate (ECG), and (-)-epicatechin (EC), are believed to be responsible for the beneficial effects of tea. ‘Benifuuki’, a tea (Camellia sinensis L.) cultivar grown in Japan, is rich in the anti-allergic molecule epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl) gallate (EGCG3”Me). Pulverized Benifuuki green tea powder (BGP) is more widely distributed than leaf tea in Japan. Japanese people mix their pulverized tea with water directly, whereas it is common to drink leaf tea after extraction. However, few studies of the effects of BGP particle size on polyphenol bioavailability have been performed. This study was conducted to investigate the absorption of catechins in rats after the intragastric administration of Benifuuki green tea. Therefore, we assessed the plasma concentrations of catechins following the ingestion of BGP with different mean particle sizes (2.86, 18.6, and 76.1 μm) or Benifuuki green tea infusion (BGI) as a control in rats. The bioavailabilities of EGCG3”Me, EGCG, ECG, EGC, and EC were analyzed after the oral administration of a single dose of Benifuuki green tea (125 mg/rat) to rats. The plasma concentrations of tea catechins were determined by HPLC analysis combined with of electrochemical detection (ECD) using a coulometric array. The AUC (area under the drug concentration versus time curve; min μg/mL) of ester-type catechins (EGCG3”Me, EGCG, and ECG) for the BGP 2.86 μm were significantly higher than those in the infusion and 18.6 and 76.1 μm BGP groups, but the AUC of free-type catechins (EGC and EC) showed no differences between these groups. Regarding the peak plasma level of EGCG3”Me adjusted for intake, BGP 2.86 μm and BGI showed higher values than the BGP 18.6 and 76.1 μm groups, and the peak plasma levels of the other catechins displayed the same tendency. The present study demonstrates that the bioavailability of ester-type catechins (EGCG and ECG) can be improved by reducing the particle size of green tea, but the plasma level of EGCG3”Me in the BGI group was similar to that in the BGP 2.86 μm group. This result suggests that drinking Benifuuki green tea with a particle size of around 2 μm would deliver the anti-allergic EGCG3”Me and the anti-oxidant EGCG efficiently.