[Antimicrobial and microbicidal activities of tea and catechins against Mycoplasma]

Kansenshogaku Zasshi. 1992 May;66(5):606-11. doi: 10.11150/kansenshogakuzasshi1970.66.606.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

We examined tea extracts, (-) epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) and theaflavin digallate (TF3) for their antimicrobial and microbicidal activities against Mycoplasma. Green tea and black tea showed antimicrobial activities against M. pneumoniae. At a concentration of 0.2% green tea and black tea showed microbicidal activities against M. pneumoniae and M. orale but not against M. salivarium. Extracts of pu-erh tea showed a slight microbicidal activity against M. pneumoniae and M. orale. EGCg purified from green tea and TF3 from black tea markedly showed microbicidal activities against M. pneumoniae. M. orale and M. salivarium. These results suggest that tea and catechins can be used as prophylactic agents against Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Biflavonoids*
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives
  • Catechin / pharmacology*
  • Gallic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Gallic Acid / chemistry
  • Gallic Acid / pharmacology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mycoplasma / drug effects*
  • Tea*

Substances

  • Biflavonoids
  • Tea
  • theaflavin digallate
  • Gallic Acid
  • Catechin
  • epigallocatechin gallate