Variations of Antioxidant Properties and NO Scavenging Abilities during Fermentation of Tea

Tea is known as one of the most popular beverages in the world, which is believed to be beneficial for health. The main components in tea will change a lot depending on the different processes of fermentation, and thus the effects of different teas on human health may differ. The aim of this study is to explore the varied abilities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging during the fermentation of tea. In this study, we conducted the in vitro experiments which involved some reaction systems indicating the abilities of scavenging ROS and NO. We also investigated the effects of tea and their components (catechins, theabrownins, caffeine) on the intracellular levels of ROS and NO, using Raw 264.7 cells as the model. We found that regardless of whether it was out of cell system or in Raw 264.7 cells, the abilities of scavenging ROS would decrease during the fermentation of tea. Further, the post-fermented pu-erh tea showed the best effect on inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of NO. These findings indicated that the fermentation process caused a change of the components which might be due to the changes of their antioxidant properties and NO scavenging abilities.     

红茶、绿茶提取物联合应用的护肤功效研究

以红茶提取物、绿茶提取物为考察对象,考察了红茶提取物和绿茶提取物的单独及联合应用的防晒、保湿、抗氧化、美白、抗衰老等功能,测试了二者在以上功能联合应用是否具有协同增效作用。结果表明,红茶、绿茶提取物在保湿、抗氧化、美白、抗衰老等功能上,联合应用比二者单独应用效果更强,其中2 g/L红、绿茶提取物混合物在抑制酪氨酸酶、弹性蛋白酶方面的联合指数CI仅为0.29和0.054,协同增效效果显著。     

Pu-erh Tea Inhibits Tumor Cell Growth by Down-Regulating Mutant p53

Pu-erh tea is a kind of fermented tea with the incorporation of microorganisms' metabolites. Unlike green tea, the chemical characteristics and bioactivities of Pu-erh tea are still not well understood. Using water extracts of Pu-erh tea, we analyzed the tumor cell growth inhibition activities on several genetically engineered mouse tumor cell lines. We found that at the concentration that did not affect wild type mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) growth, Pu-erh tea extracts could inhibit tumor cell growth by down-regulated S phase and cause G1 or G2 arrest. Further study showed that Pu-erh tea extracts down-regulated the expression of mutant p53 in tumor cells at the protein level as well as mRNA level. The same concentration of Pu-erh tea solution did not cause p53 stabilization or activation of its downstream pathways in wild type cells. We also found that Pu-erh tea treatment could slightly down-regulate both HSP70 and HSP90 protein levels in tumor cells. These data revealed the action of Pu-erh tea on tumor cells and provided the possible mechanism for Pu-erh tea action, which explained its selectivity in inhibiting tumor cells without affecting wild type cells. Our data sheds light on the application of Pu-erh tea as an anti-tumor agent with low side effects.     

Antioxidant activity of tea extracts in lipids and correlation with polyphenol content

The present study examined the antioxidative activity of water and ethanol extracts of green and black tea leaves against the oxidation of heated sunflower oil and lard. Oxidation was conducted at 110 °C in the Rancimat test. Total polyphenols and catechin contents in tea extracts were measured. The research showed that the total polyphenol content in green and black tea leaves was 205.2 and 148.7 mg/g, respectively. In tea leaves extracts, it ranged between 245.9 mg/g and 837.7 mg/g and depended on the extraction solvent and the kind of tea used (p <0.001). The highest polyphenol content was observed in samples extracted with 95% ethanol, lower contents were found with the use of water. Results showed that the highest antioxidant activity, measured as an induction period, with 1000 ppm green tea ethanol extract, was comparable to á‐tocopherol activity in sunflower oil. In lard, the longest induction period was measured with 500 and 1000 ppm of green tea ethanol extract. Other tea extract concentrations were significantly less active. Statistical analysis of the tea extract antioxidant activity in lipids in the Rancimat test showed an essential influence of the catechin contents. Further statistical analysis also showed an influence of (?)‐epicatechin gallate (ECG), (?)‐epicatechin (EC), and (+)‐catechin (C) contents in the tea extracts on the antioxidant activity in lipids. It was stated that the antioxidant activity was higher in tea extracts containing high levels of ECG, EC, and C.     

Pu-erh Tea Reduces Nitric Oxide Levels in Rats by Inhibiting Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression through Toll-Like Receptor 4

Pu-erh tea undergoes a unique fermentation process and contains theabrownins, polysaccharides and caffeine; although it is unclear about which component is associated with the down regulation of nitric oxide levels or how this process is mediated. To address this question we examined the effects of pu-erh tea on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) genes. Cohorts of rats were separately given four-week treatments of water as control, pu-erh tea, or the tea components: theabrownins, caffeine or polysaccharides. Five experimental groups were injected with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to induce nitric oxide (NO) production, while the corresponding five control groups were injected with saline as a negative control. The serum and liver NO concentrations were examined and the NOS expression of both mRNA and protein was measured in liver. The results showed that the rats which were fed pu-erh tea or polysaccharides had lower levels of NO which corresponded with the down-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. We further demonstrate that this effect is mediated through reduction of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling. Thus we find that the polysaccharide components in pu-erh tea reduce NO levels in an animal model by inhibiting the iNOS expression via signaling through TLR4.     

Inactivation of the Akt/FOXM1 Signaling Pathway by Panobinostat Suppresses the Proliferation and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Cells

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are a new class of cytostatic agents available for the treatment of various cancers and diseases. Although numerous clinical and pre-clinical trials on the anticancer effects of panobinostat have been conducted, only a few reports have investigated its efficacy in gastric cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of panobinostat in gastric cancer cells. Panobinostat significantly inhibited the cell viability and proliferation of the gastric cancer cell lines SNU484 and SNU638 in a dose-dependent manner; it reduced the colony-forming ability of these cells. Moreover, it induced apoptosis as indicated by increased protein levels of cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase and cleaved caspase-3. Panobinostat induced the G2/M cell cycle arrest in SNU484 and SNU638 cells and subsequently decreased the G2/M phase regulatory-associated protein expression of p-Wee1, Myt1, and Cdc2. Furthermore, panobinostat significantly inhibited the metastasis of SNU484 and SNU638 cells by regulating the expression of MMP-9 and E-cadherin. Further, it decreased the protein levels of p-Akt and forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1). These effects were reversed by the Akt agonist SC79 and were accelerated by the Akt inhibitor LY2940002. Moreover, tumor growth in xenograft animal experiments was suppressed by panobinostat. These results indicated that panobinostat inhibits the proliferation, metastasis, and cell cycle progression of gastric cancer cells by promoting apoptosis and inactivating Akt/FOXM1 signaling. Cumulatively, our present study suggests that panobinostat is a potential drug for the treatment of gastric cancer.     

普洱茶提取物对宫颈癌HeLa细胞的诱导凋亡作用

目的探讨普洱茶提取物对人宫颈癌HeLa细胞系的诱导凋亡作用及其分子机制。方法应用不同浓度的普洱茶提取物(15、30、60、120、250、500μg/ml)作用HeLa细胞后,采用MTT法检测其对细胞增殖的影响;DAPI染色法分析细胞凋亡形态学变化;Annexin V-FITC/PI双染流式细胞术检测细胞早期凋亡;Western blot分析pro-caspase-3和pro-caspase-9的变化。结果普洱茶提取物对HeLa细胞的增殖具有明显的抑制作用,且呈浓度依赖性;经普洱茶提取物处理的细胞荧光显微镜下可见典型的凋亡形态学变化,细胞早期凋亡率显著高于未处理的细胞(P<0.05);经普洱茶提取物处理的细胞pro-caspase-3和pro-caspase-9均被活化。结论普洱茶提取物具有可以诱导HeLa细胞凋亡的天然活性成分,且凋亡途径可能依赖于caspase-3、caspase-9相关的线粒体凋亡途径。     

普洱茶水提物对巨噬细胞分泌肿瘤坏死因子-α的影响

目的探讨普洱茶水提物对巨噬细胞分泌肿瘤坏死因子-α(Tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)的影响。方法以佛波酯处理THP-1细胞48 h,分化得到巨噬细胞,以其为炎症细胞模型,用不同浓度的普洱茶水提物(125、250μg/ml)与终浓度为100 EU/ml的脂多糖的混合物作用于巨噬细胞,ELISA法检测细胞培养液中TNF-α的含量。结果普洱茶水提物能有效抑制巨噬细胞炎症因子TNF-α的分泌,且浓度为250μg/ml的普洱茶水提物对TNF-α分泌的抑制作用强于浓度为125μg/ml的普洱茶水提物,呈剂量依赖性。结论普洱茶水提物对巨噬细胞炎症因子TNF-α的分泌具有抑制作用。这种效果与已知的绿茶抗炎的主要成分EGCG无关。     

核桃楸皮提取物对胃癌细胞增殖的影响

目的观察核桃楸皮乙酸乙酯提取物(HYT)对小鼠前胃癌细胞MFC及人正常胃黏膜上皮细胞GES-1增殖的影响。方法从核桃楸皮中提取HYT,以不同浓度作用于MFC和GES-1细胞,MTT法检测HYT对MFC及GES-1细胞增殖的影响;流式细胞术检测MFC细胞周期变化及细胞凋亡情况。结果与阴性对照组比较,HYT可明显抑制MFC细胞增殖,促进细胞凋亡,对GES-1细胞无明显杀伤作用;HYT使MFC细胞阻滞于G0-G1和G2-M期。结论HYT可通过影响胃癌细胞周期,促进细胞凋亡,抑制其增殖。     

Furan fatty acid concentrations in tea infusions prepared from green,black, and herbal teas

Furan fatty acids (FuFAs) are valuable antioxidants with highly effective radical scavenging properties which are widely distributed at low levels in food. Previous research indicated that tea is a valuable source of FuFAs. However, tea is only consumed in form of infusions. To fill this gap, we prepared infusions from different herbal, green, and black teas. Initial measurements with GC-MSMS of tea verified previous findings that 11-(3,4-dimethyl-5-penylfuran-2-yl)-undecanoic acid (11D5) was the prevalent FuFA in tea matrix. Therefore, 11D5 was quantified in tea infusions by means of UHPLC-MSMS equipment after mild alkaline hydrolysis. While herbal tea infusions were low or free of FuFAs, 11D5 was detectable in all samples of green and black tea infusions. Amounts of 11D5 were higher in green tea than in black tea. Moreover, Darjeeling tea infusions were by ~30% richer in 11D5 than black and green teas from other regions. Each cup of green and black tea infusion may provide 20–60 μg 11D5, which is about 5% of the amounts found in tea samples. Spread over the day, regular tea consumption may contribute to the intake of valuable FuFAs.     

Methyl Sartortuoate Inhibits Colon Cancer Cell Growth by Inducing Apoptosis and G2/M-Phase Arrest

The potential anti-neoplastic activity of terpenoids is of continued interest. In this study, we investigate whether methyl sartortuoate, a terpenoid isolated from soft coral, induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a human colon cancer cell line. Culture studies found that methyl sartortuoate inhibited colon cancer cell (LoVo and RKO) growth and caused apoptotic death in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, by activation of caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-3, p53 and Bax, and inactivation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) apoptosis regulating proteins. Methyl sartortuoate treatment led to reduced expression of cdc2 and up-regulated p21 and p53, suggesting that Methyl sartortuoate induced G2-M arrest through modulation of p53/p21/cdc2 pathways. Methyl sartortuoate also up-regulated phospho-JNK and phospho-p38 expression levels. This resulted in cell cycle arrest at the G2-M phase and apoptosis in LoVo and RKO cells. Treatment with the JNK inhibitor SP600125 and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 prevented methyl sartortuoate-induced apoptosis in LoVo cells. Moreover, methyl sartortuoate also prevented neoplasm growth in NOD-SCID nude mice inoculated with LoVo cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that methyl sartortuoate is capable of leading to activation of caspase-8, -9, -3, increasing p53 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio apoptosis through MAPK-dependent apoptosis and results in G2-M phase arrest in LoVo and RKO cells. Thus, methyl sartortuoate may be a promising anticancer candidate.     

多烯紫杉醇诱导细胞周期阻断与凋亡过程的模型

以多烯紫杉醇诱导白血病细胞株K562为对象,建立了描述肿瘤细胞生长及其与药物作用关系的细胞周期数学模型,研究了多烯紫杉醇诱导K562细胞周期变化与凋亡现象及量效关系.结果表明,多烯紫杉醇引起K562细胞M期阻断和诱导细胞凋亡的饱和浓度分别为17.96、7.82 nmol·L-1,有效浓度分别为2.63、1.69 nmol·L^-1;低浓度（1.69～2.63 nmol·L^-1）的多烯紫杉醇直接诱导细胞凋亡而不引起明显的M期阻断;高浓度（>7.82 nmol·L^-1）的多烯紫杉醇主要效应是促进细胞M期阻断.本模型揭示出M期阻断与凋亡无显著的相关性,为多烯紫杉醇的作用机制提供了一个新的解释.     

绿茶提取物表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯对人卵巢癌HO-8910细胞增殖及Wnt/β-catenin信号通路相关基因表达的影响

目的研究绿茶提取物表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯(Epigallocatechin-3 gallste,EGCG)对人卵巢癌HO-8910细胞增殖及细胞内Wnt/β-catenin信号通路相关基因表达的影响,探讨EGCG抑制卵巢癌细胞生长的机制。方法用不同浓度的EGCG(10、20和40μg/ml)处理体外培养的人卵巢癌HO-8910细胞不同时间(24、48和72 h),采用MTT法检测细胞的增殖活力;流式细胞术检测细胞周期的变化;RT-PCR和Western blot分别检测细胞中β-catenin和下游靶基因CyclinD1 mRNA的转录水平和蛋白的表达水平。结果 EGCG可明显抑制HO-8910细胞的增殖活力,且抑制作用呈剂量-时间依赖性(P<0.05);40μg/ml EGCG干预后,HO-8910细胞主要阻滞于G0/G1期,且在48 h阻滞作用最为明显;EGCG可显著降低HO-8910细胞中β-catenin和CyclinD1基因mRNA的转录水平和蛋白的表达水平,且呈剂量-时间依赖性(P<0.01)。结论 EGCG可抑制HO-8910细胞的增殖,其机制可能与其抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的活性有关,提示EGCG可能在卵巢癌的治疗中具有一定的应用前景。     

The green tea, a good choice for cardiovascular disease prevention?

Tea (Camellia sinensis) has been used for centuries as a medical drink. Around two-thirds of the world's population drink tea. It is originated from southern China and entensive cultivated in Asia and in central African countries. Tea can be grouped into three main types, black, oolong, and green tea. Green tea is not fermented and is a major beverage consumed in Asian countries. Green tea is produced from freshly harvest leaves of the tea plant and they contain water, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and polyphenols of the flavonoid type. The major flavonoids in green tea are catechins which constitute about one third of its total dry weight. The major catechin present is epigallocatechin gallate (>50%). New data have increased the interest in green tea or its catechins and its role in treatment of cardiovascular disease (CHD) risk factors. The aim of the present paper is to review some studies that have found a relationship between green tea and CHD risk factors. From some of them it can be summarized that of green tea and its catechins consumptions (i) decrease body weight by interfering within the sympathoadrenal system and fatty acid synthesis, (ii) decrease cholesterol absorption and plasma levels, (iii) have strong free radical-scavenging activity inhibiting LDL oxidation, (iv) reduce the adhesion molecule expression, (v) have antitrombotic activities by inhibiting platelet aggregation and (vi) decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The positive effects found suggest that a daily intake of 7 cups of green tea (3.5 g catechins) is a good choose for CHD prevention; however, it is still necessary more studies to check the action of the green tea and its catechins in humans in order to recommended its use in the general population or only in target subjects.     

Potential Antitumor Effects of 6-Gingerol in p53-Dependent Mitochondrial Apoptosis and Inhibition of Tumor Sphere Formation in Breast Cancer Cells

Hormone-specific anticancer drugs for breast cancer treatment can cause serious side effects. Thus, treatment with natural compounds has been considered a better approach as this minimizes side effects and has multiple targets. 6-Gingerol is an active polyphenol in ginger with various modalities, including anticancer activity, although its mechanism of action remains unknown. Increases in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to DNA damage and the induction of DNA damage response (DDR) mechanism, leading to cell cycle arrest apoptosis and tumorsphere suppression. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) promotes tumor growth by stimulating signaling of downstream targets that in turn activates tumor protein 53 (p53) to promote apoptosis. Here we assessed the effect of 6-gingerol treatment on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. 6-Gingerol induced cellular and mitochondrial ROS that elevated DDR through ataxia-telangiectasia mutated and p53 activation. 6-Gingerol also induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and mitochondrial apoptosis by mediating the BAX/BCL-2 ratio and release of cytochrome c. It also exhibited a suppression ability of tumorsphere formation in breast cancer cells. EGFR/Src/STAT3 signaling was also determined to be responsible for p53 activation and that 6-gingerol induced p53-dependent intrinsic apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Therefore, 6-gingerol may be used as a candidate drug against hormone-dependent breast cancer cells.     

联氨基姜黄素对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7增殖和凋亡的影响及其机制

目的探讨联氨基姜黄素对人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7增殖和凋亡的影响及其机制。方法采用MTT法检测联氨基姜黄素对MCF-7细胞的抗增殖效应,Hochest33258染色观察细胞形态学变化,流式细胞术分析细胞的周期分布和凋亡情况,Western blot检测MCF-7细胞中Bcl-2、Bax、Cyclin D1和Survivin蛋白的表达变化。结果联氨基姜黄素可抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖,IC50为2.56μmol/L,而姜黄素的IC50为21.22μmol/L;联氨基姜黄素染色24 h后,MCF-7细胞出现核荧光强度增强、颗粒状荧光等凋亡特征;凋亡细胞比率明显增加,并可阻滞细胞周期于G1期,且呈一定的剂量依赖性;联氨基姜黄素可使MCF-7细胞中Bcl-2、Cyclin D1、Survivin蛋白表达水平明显降低,而Bax表达增加。结论联氨基姜黄素具有抑制MCF-7细胞增殖、促进凋亡、阻滞细胞周期于G1期的作用,其机制可能与Bcl-2、Bax、Cyclin D1、Survivin蛋白的表达改变有关。     

Palmitic Acid-Induced Neuron Cell Cycle G2/M Arrest and Endoplasmic Reticular Stress through Protein Palmitoylation in SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells

Obesity-related neurodegenerative diseases are associated with elevated saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in the brain. An increase in SFAs, especially palmitic acid (PA), triggers neuron cell apoptosis, causing cognitive function to deteriorate. In the present study, we focused on the specific mechanism by which PA triggers SH-SY5Y neuron cell apoptosis. We found that PA induces significant neuron cell cycle arrest in the G₂/M phase in SH-SY5Y cells. Our data further showed that G₂/M arrest is involved in elevation of endoplasmic reticular (ER) stress according to an increase in p-eukaryotic translation inhibition factor 2α, an ER stress marker. Chronic exposure to PA also accelerates beta-amyloid accumulation, a pathological characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. Interestingly, SFA-induced ER stress, G₂/M arrest and cell apoptosis were reversed by treatment with 2-bromopalmitate, a protein palmitoylation inhibitor. These findings suggest that protein palmitoylation plays a crucial role in SFA-induced neuron cell cycle G₂/M arrest, ER stress and apoptosis; this provides a novel strategy for preventing SFA-induced neuron cell dysfunction.     

Hyperthermia Enhances Doxorubicin Therapeutic Efficacy against A375 and MNT-1 Melanoma Cells

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and its incidence has alarmingly increased in the last few decades, creating a need for novel treatment approaches. Thus, we evaluated the combinatorial effect of doxorubicin (DOX) and hyperthermia on A375 and MNT-1 human melanoma cell lines. Cells were treated with DOX for 24, 48, and 72 h and their viabilities were assessed. The effect of DOX IC10 and IC20 (combined at 43 °C for 30, 60, and 120 min) on cell viability was further analyzed. Interference on cell cycle dynamics, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis upon treatment (with 30 min at 43 °C and DOX at the IC20 for 48 h) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Combined treatment significantly decreased cell viability, but not in all tested conditions, suggesting that the effect depends on the drug concentration and heat treatment duration. Combined treatment also mediated a G2/M phase arrest in both cell lines, as well as increasing ROS levels. Additionally, it induced early apoptosis in MNT-1 cells, while in A375 cells this effect was similar to the one caused by hyperthermia alone. These findings demonstrate that hyperthermia enhances DOX effect through cell cycle arrest, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death.     

茶叶中稀土污染调查研究

探讨深圳市茶叶稀土污染状况,并尝试寻找此类污染的主要原因及解决办法。2009～2010年,笔者在市售产品中抽取绿茶,花茶,红茶,黑茶和乌龙茶共324批次,采用ICP-MS测定样本中稀土含量（以稀土氧化物计）,并按GB2762-2003食品中污染物限量标准评价。绿茶,花茶,红茶,黑茶和乌龙茶的合格率分别为65.8%、54.3%、33.3%、27.7%、14.5%。建议从规范施肥方式、定期监测土壤污染情况、探索治理方法等方面寻找解决办法,同时建立更科学合理的安全评价方法。建议相关部门对取消茶叶稀土限量要求慎重考虑。