Green Tea: Skin Protection and Anti-Infective Properties
Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as we have seen is a potent anti-oxidant and anticancer compound. It recently has been investigated by scientists and it looks like it can have some skin protective and anti-infective properties.
Skin Protection
Recently, EGCG-mediated UVB photoprotection was reported in normal human dermal fibroblasts by An et al Human Dermal Fibroblasts (HDF) are derived from the dermis of normal human adult skin. The molecular mechanism underlying this protection process remains unknown.
Bioinformatic studies, including miRNA target gene prediction and gene ontology analysis, revealed that the EGCG-specific miRNAs may control genes involved in transcription regulation and inhibition of apoptosis, but not MAPK activation, in skin cells. Green tea catechins like EGCG are potential natural photoprotective agents against UVB-mediated damage in skin cells and could alter specific miRNA expression. Green Tea is a base used in all The Wise Herb Company natural infusions.
Anti-Infective Properties
Consumption of green tea (Camellia sinensis) has been shown to cause many physiological and pharmacological health benefits and studies report that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main constituent of green tea, has anti-infective properties. This review by Steinmann et al looks at Green Tea catechin’s antiviral activities, inhibitory effects against bacteria and antifungal activity. The mechanistic effects of EGCG are not fully understood, but results suggest that EGCG binds to lipid membranes and has influence on the folic acid metabolism of bacteria and fungi by inhibiting the cytoplasmic enzyme dihydrofolate reductase.
This paper reviews the current data and future potential of green tea polyphenols for antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effects.
