No abstract

Polyphenols in green tea are biologically active and may interact with commonly-consumed over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in the body. In this study, modulation of cytotoxicity of polyphenon 60 (PPE, tea polyphenol mixture) with co-treatment of several OTC drugs, including ibuprofen (Ibu), acetaminophen (AAP), and aspirin was investigated in intestinal cells. PPE showed more potent cytotoxic effects on colon cancer HCT 116 cells than on normal intestinal INT 407 cells. Ibu had the strongest cytotoxic effects on both cell types. Cytotoxicity of PPE on HCT 116 and INT 407 cells was not markedly altered by co-treated OTC drugs. Cytotoxicity of the OTC drugs was not affected by PPE. When HCT 116 cells were incubated with AAP before or after PPE treatment, cytotoxicity was slightly enhanced more than their additive effect. The present study may provide basic information of possible toxicity due to interaction of the polyphenols and the OTC drugs.

The Folin-Denis assay using the Folin-Ciocalteu (F-C) reagent has been commonly used for analyzing the total phenolic compound content in various food products. In the present study, the effects of proteins on the reactivity of the F-C reagent with different phenolic compounds were investigated. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) or skim milk proteins showed a concentration-dependent increase in color response in the Folin-Denis assay; these proteins decreased the color response of most phenolic compounds tested. The reactivity of phenolic compounds was significantly less pronounced in the presence of BSA and this interference was greater at higher concentrations of phenolic compounds. The reactivity of phenolic compounds with the F-C reagent was reduced significantly by their oxidation; the reaction of the oxidized products with the F-C reagent was more severely affected by BSA. The interfering effects in the Folin-Denis assay might be attributable to binding interactions of phenolic compounds with proteins.