Abstract
O-Methylated (−)-epigallocatechin gallates (EGCGs) have an anti-allergic action, and the Japanese tea cultivar ‘Benifuuki’ is rich in EGCG3''Me, which is lost due to processing in black tea. Oral administration of O-methylated EGCGs significantly and dose-dependently inhibited type I allergic reactions in mice. O-methylated EGCGs also strongly inhibited mast cell activation through the prevention of tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular protein and high-affinity IgE receptor expression, as well as histamine/leukotriene release. Over a one-month period, drinking ‘Benifuuki’ green tea was useful to reduce some of the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis, and did not affect any normal immune response in subjects with seasonal rhinitis. The AUC (area under the drug concentration time curve) of EGCG3''Me was 6.4 times that of EGCG in healthy human volunteers. Furthermore, many foods and household goods used ‘Benifuuki’ green tea were developed and sold by several manufacturers.
