The antibacterial activity of tea in vitro and in vivo (in patients with impetigo contagiosa)

J Dermatol. 2000 Nov;27(11):706-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2000.tb02263.x.

Abstract

A total number of 104 patients with impetigo contagiosa was included in this study. They were 47 females (45.2%) and 57 males (54.8%). Their ages ranged from one month to 40 years with a median of 4 years. This study was divided into two parts: PART I (in vitro): Thirty-five patients were swabbed to determine the microbiology of impetigo contagiosa which included 33 isolates of pure S. aureus (94.3%) and 2 of a combination of S. aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes (5.7%). The antibacterial effect of tea liquor (lotion) against S. aureus proved very effective. Antibiotic sensitivity was done for all bacterial isolates of S. aureus. PART II (in vivo): The antibacterial effects of tea liquor and ointment were tested by treating 64 patients with impetigo contagiosa. Tea ointment was very effective with a cure rate of 81.3%. Forty patients were taken as controls and divided into two groups. The first one was given an ointment containing Framycetin and gramicidin (soframycin) with a cure rate of 72.2%; the other group was given oral cephalexin with a cure rate of 78.6%. To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first one which demonstrated the anti-bacterial action of crude tea in vivo, against impetigo contagiosa. Clinical data about impetigo are also included in this study.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Impetigo / drug therapy*
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Tea / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tea