Theaflavins

Structural formula of theaflavin , the parent compound of theaflavins

Loose black tea (Darjeeling)

Theaflavins are secondary plant substances from the group of polyphenols . They are responsible for the typical reddish-orange color of black tea and arise through oxidative condensation between epicatechin and epigallocatechin, as well as during the metabolism of catechins in the liver . Theaflavins have moved into the focus of scientific research with regard to their positive influence on health.

Medical aspects

Many polyphenols can inhibit the reproduction of HIV-1 . In experiments with cell cultures , theaflavins showed a higher potential than the catechins, which are also known for this effect. Both substances prevent the virus from multiplying by binding to its surface molecule gp41 , which the virus needs in order to penetrate its host cell via the CD4 receptor .

According to the results of clinical studies, theaflavins can also lower both cholesterol levels and the amount of low-density lipoprotein in the human body.

Theaflavins also appear to have strong antibacterial properties. In laboratory tests on the bacteria Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Acinetobacter baumannii , which have now developed resistance to numerous antibiotics , they have been shown to be very effective.

Individual evidence

↑ Takashi Tanaka, Chie Mine, Kyoko Inoue, Miyuki Matsuda, Isao Kouno: Synthesis of Theaflavin from Epicatechin and Epigallocatechin by Plant Homogenates and Role of Epicatechin Quinone in the Synthesis and Degradation of Theaflavin . In: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry . tape 50 , no. 7 , March 2002, ISSN 0021-8561 , p. 2142–2148 , doi : 10.1021 / jf011301a ( acs.org [accessed May 24, 2020]).
↑ Liu S, Lu H, Zhao Q, et al. : Theaflavin derivatives in black tea and catechin derivatives in green tea inhibit HIV-1 entry by targeting gp41 . In: Biochim. Biophys. Acta . 1723, No. 1-3, 2005, pp. 270-81. doi : 10.1016 / j.bbagen.2005.02.012 . PMID 15823507 .
↑ Maron DJ, Lu GP, Cai NS, et al. : Cholesterol-lowering effect of a theaflavin-enriched green tea extract: a randomized controlled trial . In: Arch Intern Med . 163, No. 12, 2003, pp. 1448-53. doi : 10.1001 / archinte.163.12.1448 . PMID 12824094 .
↑ Betts JW, Kelly SM, Haswell SJ .: Antibacterial effects of theaflavin and synergy with epicatechin against clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia . In: Int J Antimicrob Agents . November 2011. PMID 21885260 .

[1] Takashi Tanaka, Chie Mine, Kyoko Inoue, Miyuki Matsuda, Isao Kouno: Synthesis of Theaflavin from Epicatechin and Epigallocatechin by Plant Homogenates and Role of Epicatechin Quinone in the Synthesis and Degradation of Theaflavin . In: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry . tape 50 , no. 7 , March 2002, ISSN 0021-8561 , p. 2142–2148 , doi : 10.1021 / jf011301a ( acs.org [accessed May 24, 2020]).

[2] Liu S, Lu H, Zhao Q, et al. : Theaflavin derivatives in black tea and catechin derivatives in green tea inhibit HIV-1 entry by targeting gp41 . In: Biochim. Biophys. Acta . 1723, No. 1-3, 2005, pp. 270-81. doi : 10.1016 / j.bbagen.2005.02.012 . PMID 15823507 .

[3] Maron DJ, Lu GP, Cai NS, et al. : Cholesterol-lowering effect of a theaflavin-enriched green tea extract: a randomized controlled trial . In: Arch Intern Med . 163, No. 12, 2003, pp. 1448-53. doi : 10.1001 / archinte.163.12.1448 . PMID 12824094 .

[4] Betts JW, Kelly SM, Haswell SJ .: Antibacterial effects of theaflavin and synergy with epicatechin against clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia . In: Int J Antimicrob Agents . November 2011. PMID 21885260 .