Mechanism of Action and Potential for Use of Tea Catechin as an Antiinfective Agent

Title: Mechanism of Action and Potential for Use of Tea Catechin as an Antiinfective Agent

Volume: 6 Issue: 1

Author(s): Tadakatsu Shimamura, Wei-Hua Zhao and Zhi-Qing Hu

Affiliation:

Keywords: Tea, catechins, EGCg, polyphenols, flavanols, antimicrobial agents, β-lactams, MRSA

Abstract: “Drinking several cups of green tea a day keeps the doctor away” is clearly an overstatement. However, extensive research has revealed that the predominant catechin from tea (Camellia sinensis), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), has significant medicinal and health-promoting properties. This review summarizes what is presently known about the antimicrobial properties of EGCg, with a particular focus on the synergistic relationship between EGCg and β-lactams in the inhibition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The mechanisms of action and prospects for use of tea catechins such as EGCg as an anti-infective agent are discussed.

Cite this article as:

Shimamura Tadakatsu, Zhao Wei-Hua and Hu Zhi-Qing, Mechanism of Action and Potential for Use of Tea Catechin as an Antiinfective Agent, Anti-Infective Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2007; 6 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152107779314124