Effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (green tea tannin) on the life span of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

1. Effect of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), a condensed tannin isolated from green tea leaves, on the life span and hypertensive lesions in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP) was compared with that of persimmon tannin. 2. Long-term administration of either 0.5% EGCG or 0.5% persimmon tannin to SHRSP inhibited the incidence of stroke and prolonged the life span, but did not affect the blood pressure. 3. These results indicate that EGCG may prevent incidence of stroke due to the radical scavenging action and inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and may result in prolonging the life span of SHRSP, as in the case of persimmon tannin.