Inhibitory effects of tea catechins and O-methylated derivatives of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate on mouse type IV allergy.

The inhibitory effects of tea catechins, the O-methylated derivatives of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), and the polyphenol extracts from tea leaves (Camellia sinensis L.) on oxazolone-induced type IV allergy in male ICR mice were investigated. Four major tea catechins and two O-methylated derivatives, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate (EGCG3' 'Me) and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(4-O-methyl)gallate (EGCG4' 'Me), showed significant inhibitory effects on mouse type IV allergy after a percutaneous administration at a dose of 0.13 mg/ear. Among tea catechins, the compounds including galloyl moieties, such as EGCG and (-)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate (ECG), showed the strongest inhibitory activities on mouse type IV allergy. The inhibitory activities of EGCG3' 'Me and EGCG4' 'Me were higher than that of EGCG at a dose of 0.05 mg/ear. Polyphenol extract from tea leaves of Benihomare cultivar, which includes EGCG3' 'Me, strongly inhibited mouse type IV allergy after percutaneous administration in comparison with that from Yabukita cultivar, which does not include EGCG3' 'Me, at doses of 0.05 and 0.13 mg/ear. EGCG3' 'Me is thought to contribute, at least in part, to the inhibitory ability of Benihomare tea leaves on mouse type IV allergy. EGCG and the polyphenol extracts from Benihomare and Yabukita tea leaves also inhibited mouse type IV allergy by oral administration at 1 h before the sensitization and at 1 h before the challenge with oxazolone. Therefore, daily intake of tea drinks could have potential to prevent type IV allergy.