Antihypertensive Effect of Benifuuki Tea Containing O-Methylated EGCG

Abstract

Benifuuki is a tea cultivar with an antiallergic effect stronger than that of Yabukita tea, the most popular green tea cultivar consumed in Japan. The effective compound is (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate (EGCG3''Me), an O-methylated derivative of EGCG. This study examined the antihypertensive effects of EGCG3''Me and Benifuuki tea. First, it was determined that EGCG3''Me has a significant inhibitory effect on the activity of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE). Second, clinical trials showed that Benifuuki tea suppressed high blood pressure to a greater extent than green tea that did not contain EGCG3''Me after equal amounts of tea catechins were consumed for 8 weeks. The effect of Benifuuki tea on human hypertension is mainly the result of the strong inhibitory effect of EGCG3''Me on ACE activity, its high rate of absorption, and its stability in the blood.

Comparison of (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-<i>O</i>-gallate (EGCG) and <i>O</i>-Methyl EGCG Bioavailability in Rats

“…9,10) A clinical trial revealed that Benifuuki tea also had stronger anti-hypertensive effects than those of Yabukita tea. 1) Although EGCG3″Me and the teas containing it have strong bioactivities in vivo, the bioactivities of EGCG3″Me and Benifuuki tea extract in vitro were not stronger than those of EGCG or Yabukita tea extract. 1,10) These findings suggested that the absorption of O-methyl EGCGs and Benifuuki tea extract may be related to their strong bioactivities in vivo.…”

“…1) Although EGCG3″Me and the teas containing it have strong bioactivities in vivo, the bioactivities of EGCG3″Me and Benifuuki tea extract in vitro were not stronger than those of EGCG or Yabukita tea extract. 1,10) These findings suggested that the absorption of O-methyl EGCGs and Benifuuki tea extract may be related to their strong bioactivities in vivo. However, the pharmacokinetics of purified O-methyl EGCGs have not yet been examined.…”

“…(−)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), the major catechin present in green tea, has shown various bioactivities, such as anti-hypertensive, 1,2) anti-allergenic, 3) and anti-cancer effects. 4) O-Methyl EGCGs, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-Omethyl) gallate (EGCG3″Me), and (−)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(4-O-methyl) gallate (EGCG4″Me) (Fig.…”

The role of nutrition and nutraceutical supplements in the treatment of hypertension

“…Beverages: Tea, coffee, and cocoa Green tea, black tea and extracts of active components in both have demonstrated reduction in BP in humans [265][266][267][268][269][270][271] . In a double blind placebo controlled trial of 379 hypertensive subjects given green tea extract 370 mg/d for 3 mo, BP was reduced significantly at 4/4 mmHg with simultaneous decrease in HS CRP, TNF-α, glucose and insulin levels [268] .…”

Small molecule-sensing strategy and techniques for understanding the functionality of green tea

“…BF has been reported biomedical activities in human models. 62,111) SR was generated by natural crossbreeding of Nou-6. Compared with Nou-6, this novel cultivar contains high levels of anthocyanins, is high yielding and easy to grow, and shows high resistance to anthracnose and gray blight.…”