Green Tea Research Articles

Predicting Precursor Ions Combined with Fragmentation Pathway for Screening and Identification of Flavan-3-ol Oligomers in Tea (Camellia sinensis. var. assamica).

Flavan-3-ol oligomers (FLOs), including proanthocyanidins (PAs) and theasinensins (TSs), contribute greatly to the flavor and bioactivity of the tea beverage. Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry has been widely used in profiling a wide range of compounds in tea. However, the detection and identification of FLOs with low concentration and high structural diversity remain meaningful yet challenging work. Herein, we propose a strategy that enables efficient discovery and annotation of FLOs, especially those with a relatively high degree of polymerization (DP, ≥3). Based on the known monomers and the specific polymerization pattern between them, the strategy predicted a theoretical list of precursor ions of FLO. Matching the predicted list against the experimental ion features screened out 490 features as the candidate of FLOs from over 10 000 raw features. Investigation of the fragmentation pathways of 17 known FLOs found that both PAs and TSs are easily subjected to RDA cleavage, which produced a series of characteristic fragmentation ions and neutral losses. Moreover, successive cleavage of the C4 → C8 bond between monomer units is observed for PAs, leading to the generation of characteristic fragmentation ions corresponding to monomeric flavan-3-ols. Assisted by the characteristic fragmentation pathways, 52 FLOs (DP: 2-6) were finally annotated from the 490 retained features. Their chemical structures were verified by depolymerization experiments using menthofuran as the nucleophilic trapping reagent. Among them, the pentamers and hexamers were detected in a Yunnan large leaf tea for the first time. Semiquantitation and multivariate statistical analysis indicate that PAs exhibit higher contents in green tea, and TSs show higher levels in black and white tea.

Effect of Green Tea Extract in Conjunction with Exercise Prices of Training on Anaerobic Performances in College Students’ Outcomes

To evaluate the effects of various interventions on anaerobic power, fatigue index, and overall performance in college students. Participants were 30 college students aged 18-22 years from Sichuan Vocational College of Health. Their height, weight, and anaerobic capacity were measured using the running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST). We divided the students into three groups of 10 participants each, consisting of 3 males and 7 females, based on their RAST test scores. Group 1 received a placebo (500 mg) combined with 4 weeks of athletic training; Group 2 received a single dose of 500 mg of green tea extract with exercise; and Group 3 received 500 mg of green tea extract combined with 4 weeks of athletic training. Before-and-after-experimental data research designs were compared using a t-test analysis, while differences between groups were assessed. The results showed that statistically significant were not differences in anaerobic capacity for Group 1, while Group 2 displayed significant improvements in anaerobic capacity and mean power among female students (p<.05). Group 3: students’ exercise training on anaerobic power, fatigue index, and mean power variables are differences, significant for both male and female students (p<.05). Confirmation of the effect of green tea extract in conjunction with exercise prices of training on anaerobic performance in college students’ outcomes between each paired-group using one-way ANOVA, the results revealed that the four variables are differences, significant in anaerobic power, average power, and fatigue index across the groups, and Group 3 indicating the most notable improvements. Suggestions that, combining green tea extract with prolonged athletic training significantly improves anaerobic capacity, particularly in female participants. These results highlight the potential benefits of green tea extract in enhancing athletic performance, warranting further research to explore its long-term effects and optimize exercise interventions.

Dynamic Residue Behavior and Risk Assessment of Thiamethoxam With Its Metabolite From Tea Production to Consumption

ABSTRACTThe entire fate of the widely used insecticide thiamethoxam from field cultivation, manufacturing to brewing were studied. A method to simultaneously detect thiamethoxam and its two metabolites, clothianidin and CGA265307, was developed. The field trial indicated a half‐life of thiamethoxam at 3.2 days on tea leaves, meanwhile, generation of clothianidin was observed with the maximum accumulation of 0.0152 mg/kg after 1 day of thiamethoxam application. The processing factors (PFs) during tea manufacturing ranged from 0.16 to 1.36 and 0.72 to 1.27 for thiamethoxam and clothianidin, respectively. Notably, PFs for thiamethoxam and clothianidin were higher during microwave deenzymed green tea manufacturing than pan deenzymed green tea and traditional black tea. Both thiamethoxam and clothianidin showed high infusion factors during tea brewing, whereas the risk quotient indicated an acceptable dietary risk of thiamethoxam with clothianidin through tea consumption. These findings could facilitate a more accurate assessment of safety risks and better protect the health of tea consumers.

Evaluating the Health Implications of Kombucha Fermented with Gardenia jasminoides Teas: A Comprehensive Analysis of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Cytotoxic Properties

Background/Objectives: Plant-derived compounds are increasingly valued in drug discovery for their therapeutic potential. This study aims to examine the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties of kombucha beverages fermented with Gardenia jasminoides (GJ) and various types of Camellia sinensis teas: matcha green tea (MGT), organic green tea (OGT), and decaffeinated green tea (DGT). Methods: Two experimental designs were employed: (1) using black tea as a base substrate, infusing the four teas post-fermentation over 0–14 days, and (2) directly fermenting tea–herb combinations over 0–21 days. Antioxidant activity was assessed via the DPPH assay. Microbial dynamics were analyzed through total mesophilic bacteria and Lactobacillus counts. Antimicrobial potential was evaluated against E. coli, S. aureus, and S. enteritidis over 24 h. Cytotoxicity assays were conducted on Caco-2 and U251 cell lines to assess anticancer effects, with pH-adjusted controls used to differentiate bioactivity from acidity. Results: In the first experiment, GJ kombucha displayed the highest antioxidant potential (IC50: 14.04 µg/mL), followed by MGT (IC50: 32.85 µg/mL) and OGT (IC50: 98.21 µg/mL). In the second setup, unfermented GJ kombucha initially showed high antioxidant activity (IC50: 12.94 µg/mL), improving during fermentation to reach an IC50 of 18.26 µg/mL by day 21. Microbial analysis indicated moderate increases in total mesophilic bacteria and Lactobacillus in GJ kombucha after 14 days, while MGT, OGT, and DGT exhibited higher increments. GJ kombucha consistently demonstrated the highest antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, and S. enteritidis, with significant inhibitory effects observed by 24 h. Cytotoxicity assays showed that GJ kombucha reduced Caco-2 cell viability to 20% at 800 µg/mL after 14 days, while U251 cells maintained 50% viability at the same concentration. Conclusions: This study highlights the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer potential of GJ kombucha, with fermentation enhancing bioactive metabolite production. Optimizing fermentation conditions, identifying specific bioactive compounds, expanding cytotoxicity testing, and exploring broader therapeutic applications of kombucha could maximize its health benefits and establish it as a natural antimicrobial and anticancer agent.

Medicinal Plants as A Natural Immunity Booster Against Covid 19: A Review

Medicinal plants have long been valued for their therapeutic properties, especially in boosting immune function. This review explores the role of medicinal plants in enhancing immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on plants known for their bioactive compounds and health benefits. A thorough search of online databases resulted in the identification of 115 published articles from 2020 to 2024, which led to the selection of 50 plants commonly used for immune support. Plants include Garlic, Ashwagandha, Neem,Turmeric, Guduchi, Holy Basil, Amla, Aloe Vera, Black Cardamom, Cinnamon, Pomegranate, Guava, Moringa, Black Cumin, Lemon, Lemongrass, Papaya, Green Tea and others. These plants contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids, which are believed to possess immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Garlic, Turmeric, and Ashwagandha are particularly noted for combating oxidative stress and supporting immune function, while Gurjo, Neem, and Amla are valued for their detoxifying and anti-inflammatory effects. These plants, traditionally used during viral infections like the flu and COVID-19, represent a fusion of ancient cultural wisdom and modern scientific research.Future research should focus on clinical validation and pharmacological studies to better understand the efficacy of these plants in immune modulation.

Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss and Drug Interactions

Food supplements are used for a variety of purposes, one of which is weight reduction. As excess weight is a long-term condition, some supplements are expected to be used for long periods of time. The long-term use of these dietary supplements makes it highly likely that they will be combined with medications, increasing the risk of food supplement–drug interactions, which are not always known or disclosed, and can lead to serious health problems, as has been observed. This article discusses some of the compounds used as food supplements for weight reduction (green tea extract, Garcinia cambogia, chitosan, quercetin and resveratrol) and the interactions they may cause with some drugs such as: dextromethorphan, buspirone, diclofenac, irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, cytochrome P450 inducers and inhibitors, statins, orlistat, warfarina, acenocoumarol, fluoxetine, valproate, quetiapine, carbamazepine. This information is expected to be useful for healthcare professionals to detect and intervene on food supplement–drug interactions to ensure the optimization of therapy and patient safety.

Silicon as a Predicator of Sustainable Nutrient Management in Maize Cultivation (Zea mays L.)

Field trials were conducted at the Field Experimental Station in Winna Góra. Weed control after maize sowing increased the grain yield by 15.7% compared to that after herbicide application at the BBCH 14/15 stage. Higher effectiveness of silicon application in maize cultivation can be achieved on plantations free from primary or secondary weed infestation. The application of a 50% NPK dose increased the grain yield by 8.6%, while a 100% dose improved it by 13.9% compared to that of the control object (without mineral fertilization). Furthermore, it was observed that the effectiveness of the silicon increased with higher total precipitation during the maize growing season, as evidenced by the results from 2022. In that year, the difference between the control (without silicon application) and the treatment with silicon applied at the BBCH 15/16 stage was more than 33%. The average mass losses from the green tea bags ranged from 54.9% to 71.9% in the variant of the sowing experiment carried out after spraying with the herbicide and from 69.4% to 72.4% in the variant with herbicide spraying at the BBCH14 stage. The rooibos tea’s mass losses were lower, as expected, and ranged from 18.6% to 36.4% in the first variant and from 30.8% to 38.6% in the second variant. The mass losses of the green tea and rooibos tea were the highest in the variant with herbicide spraying at the BBCH14 stage and the lowest in the variant of the sowing experiment carried out after herbicide spraying. The stabilization factor (S) ranged from 193 × 10−3 to 254 × 10−3 in sowing after herbicide spraying and from 188 × 10−3 to 226 × 10−3 in the variant with herbicide spraying at the BBCH14 stage. The k (decomposition constant) ranged from 7.8 × 10−3 to 11.5 × 10−3 in the first variant and from 7.2 × 10−3 to 13.4 × 10−3 in the variant with herbicide spraying at BBCH14.

A glutamine synthetase-DOF transcription factor module regulates N remobilization from source to sink tissues in tea plants.

Nitrogen (N) remobilization from mature leaves to new shoots is closely related to the quality of green tea in the spring season, which subsequently determines its economic value. However, the underlying N remobilization mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated that more than 80% of the recovered-15N was partitioned in the first mature leaves that supply new shoots. N remobilization efficiency (NRE) from mature leaves to new shoots varied significantly among tea cultivars. N fertilization level and NRE showed a significantly positive correlation. Based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), glutamate metabolism-related genes including glutamine synthetase genes CsGSs were dissected from the interaction network of hub genes regulating N remobilization. Gene expression patterns and the localization of CsGS1.1 in the cytosol and vascular tissue suggest its potential role in N remobilization. Consistent with these findings, source-to-sink N remobilization at the reproductive stage was enhanced in transgenic CsGS1.1-overexpressing plants. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the DOF transcription factor CsDof16 directly binds to the -526 to -426 region of the CsGS1.1 promoter, thereby activating its transcription and regulating N remobilization. Taken together, our findings suggest that the CsDof16-CsGS1.1 module regulates the remobilization of N in the form of glutamate/glutamine from mature leaves to new shoots, constituting an important control point in the regulation of source-to-sink N partitioning in tea plants. Our findings can be employed to reduce fertilizer application and promote the development of sustainable tea production.

(−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) ameliorates ovalbumin-induced asthma by inhibiting inflammation via the TNF-α/TNF-R1/NLRP3 signaling pathway

(−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a polyphenol in green tea with potential lung-protective effects. However, the effects of EGCG on airway inflammation in asthma remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of EGCG on asthmatic airway inflammation. In this study, the therapeutic effects of EGCG on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mice were tested first. Second, the effects of EGCG on airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), airway mucus hypersecretion, cell apoptosis and differential genes were investigated. Finally, the relationships between the effects of EGCG on airway inflammation and the TNF-α/TNF-R1/NLRP3 signaling pathway in asthmatic mice were explored. The results showed that EGCG could attenuate AHR, alleviate the symptoms of alveolar wall thickening and inflammatory cell infiltration, decrease the levels of inflammatory cytokines and airway mucus markers, reduce apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increase the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in primary lung cells in asthmatic mice. Additionally, EGCG significantly inhibited the activation of the TNF-α/TNF-R1/NLRP3 signaling pathway in the lung tissues of asthmatic mice. The lowest binding free energies of EGCG with TNF-α, TNF-R1 and NLRP3 were −11.6, −11.6 and −8.2 kcal/mol, respectively. Moreover, the equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of EGCG and TNF-R1was 26.05 μmol/L. EGCG-mediated inhibition of TNF-α/TNF-R1/NLRP3 signaling pathway activation was blocked in LPS-induced BEAS-2B and RAW264.7 cells overexpressing TNF-α. Consequently, EGCG effectively attenuated AHR and inhibited airway inflammation and airway mucus hypersecretion in asthmatic mice, and these effects may be closely related to the TNF-α/TNF-R1/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Eye Mascara

The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate a herbal eye mascara using natural ingredients. The mascara was prepared using a combination of beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, and herbal extracts of aloe vera, green tea, and chamomile. The physical characteristics, such as texture, consistency, and color, were evaluated. The antimicrobial activity and safety of the formulation were also assessed. The results showed that the herbal eye mascara possessed good physical characteristics, antimicrobial activity, and was safe for use. The formulation was also found to be stable and non-irritating. The study concludes that the herbal eye mascara is a promising natural alternative to synthetic mascaras, offering benefits of natural ingredients and antimicrobial properties

Optimization of a green tea seed oil-loaded double-layer emulsion and its preventive effects on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice.

Green tea seed oil (GTSO; Camellia sinensis) is rich in bioactive compounds and has great potential for preventing intestinal inflammation. Conversely, high-fat diets have been shown to promote or aggravate gastrointestinal inflammation, and the bioactive ingredients of GTSO face difficulty passing through the gastrointestinal tract while remaining intact. This study employed whey protein isolate (WPI) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) to prepare a GTSO-loaded double-layer emulsion. The optimal parameters were as follows: WPI (2% w/w) and 35% oil phase for the primary emulsion preparation, CMC-Na (0.8% w/w) for the final emulsion, and 450W of ultrasonic power for homogenization. No significant changes in particle size or coalescence in the emulsions were observed after 30days of storage at 4°C. In addition, in a simulated gastrointestinal digestion system, more than 60% of the encapsulated GTSO was able to remain intact while passing through the gastric and small intestinal environment. In mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis, pretreatment with the GTSO emulsion significantly prevented the further development of colitis, whereas an empty-carrier-plus-free-GTSO treatment had no such protective effects and even tended to aggravate the disease. The results of the present study suggest that encapsulated GTSO is a reliable alternative approach for colitis prevention. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The green tea seed oil-loaded double-layer emulsion demonstrates good storage stability when kept at 4°C, exhibits excellent slow-release performance, and achieves superior outcomes in the prevention of colitis. Our current study provides a reliable alternative approach for the prevention of colitis.

Synthesis and nanoparticle formation of pyrazine, benzodithiophene (BDT) and fluorene containing conjugated polymer (P-PBF) and its biosensing performance toward catechol

The development of laccase-based biosensors, in particular, have attracted much interest due to their ability to detect highly toxic molecules in the environment. This article reports a novel biosensor for catechol detection that can be used to determine toxic molecules in the environment. For this purpose, a novel conjugated polymer (P-PBF) and conjugated polymer nanoparticles (P-PBFNPs) were synthesized and characterized, respectively. To our knowledge, research has yet to be done on conjugated polymer nanoparticle-based electrochemical biosensing platforms for catechol determination. The biosensor comprises a GE/P-PBF NPs/Lac electrode, constructed with P-PBF NPs deposited onto a bare graphite electrode followed by laccase (Lac) enzyme immobilization. While electrochemical characterization was performed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), surface characterization was performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The biosensor exhibited high sensitivity (1.229 μA/μM.cm2), a good linear range (0.5–25 μM) and a low limit of detection (LOD) (0.49 μM). Moreover, the developed biosensor exhibited high selectivity in the presence of interfering analytes without any memory effects. The potential of the GE/P-PBF NPs/Lac electrode in tap water, green tea, synthetic urine and serum samples indicates the inspiring biosensing applications for monitoring environmental pollution.

A Novel Green Tea Extract-Loaded Nanofiber Coating for Kiwi Fruit: Improved Microbial Stability and Nutritional Quality

This study investigated the use of green tea extract (GTE)-loaded PVA-based nanofibers for preserving fresh-cut kiwi fruit. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images confirmed that the nanofibers were smooth, uniform, and free from significant defects, with a consistent diameter ranging from 100 to 300 nm. Significant reductions in the total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB) and yeast and mold counts (TMY) were obtained. On the last day of storage, the TMAB in GTE-coated samples was 1.75 log CFU/g lower than uncoated samples, and the TMY was 2.25 log CFU/g lower (3.50 vs. 5.75 log CFU/g). The kiwi fruit that were coated with nanofibers had higher antioxidant activity, better vitamin C retention (32.3 mg/100 g on day 10 vs. 22.9 mg/100 g for controls), and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (25.3 nmol/kg on day 10 vs. 49.2 nmol/kg for controls), which meant they had less lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, resulting in improved cellular integrity and extended product shelf life. These findings suggested that GTE-loaded nanofibers could effectively enhance the microbial stability and nutritional quality of fresh-cut kiwi fruit. This study highlighted the potential of using bioactive substance-loaded nanofibers as a novel and effective preservation method for fresh produce, with significant implications for the food industry.

Tea intervention ameliorated metabolic dysfunction caused by circadian rhythm disorders via gut microbiota-bile acid-FXR axis

With the rapid development of society and changing lifestyles, people often encounter circadian rhythm disorder (CRD). Although tea active components have shown promise in improving CRD, a comprehensive comparison of different types of tea in improving CRD is still lacking, and the mechanism of regulating CRD-induced metabolic disorders remained unclear. This study selected three representative teas (Green tea, black tea, and dark tea) and compared the ameliorative effects of different teas on CRD-induced metabolic dysfunction. Furthermore, tea intervention improved the metabolic syndrome associated with CRD mainly through decreasing relative abundance of BSH-producing microbes, increasing conjugated bile acids (BAs) that act in an antagonistic manner on intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR), and promoting elimination of BAs via the feces. Our results shed light into the mechanisms behind the ameliorative effect of tea intervention on metabolic dysfunction caused by CRD, and suggest that the gut microbiota-bile acid-FXR axis may be potential therapies.

Comparison of different drying technologies for green tea: Changes in color, non-volatile and volatile compounds

Drying technology plays a pivotal role in tea processing. Herein, the differences in color, non-volatile, and volatile components of green tea under various drying methods were investigated. The results indicated that vacuum freeze-microwave increased the L* and b* values, and decreased the a* values of tea leaves. Moreover, vacuum freeze-microwave drying resulted in higher polyphenol content than the other three drying methods although there was no significant difference. A total of 43 volatile compounds were identified. Of these, 2-propanone, ethanol(D), ethanol(M), ethyl acetate(M), 2-methyl-1-butanol, and 2-methylthiophene were found to play an important role in the above discrimination (VIP >1.5). Dry extraction showed a higher content of volatile components than wet extraction. Regardless of the extraction conditions, vacuum freeze-microwave drying exhibited a stronger signal intensity and more volatile components than other drying methods. This study provides a reference for analyzing the quality differences of green tea by different drying methods.

Unraveling the dynamic variations of volatile and non-volatile metabolites in green tea during the yellow-light irradiation spreading process by targeted and untargeted metabolomics

Unraveling the dynamic variations of volatile and non-volatile metabolites in green tea during the yellow-light irradiation spreading process by targeted and untargeted metabolomics

Fabrication and evaluation of Zn-EGCG-loaded chitosan scaffolds for bone regeneration: From cellular responses to in vivo performance.

We have synthesized a flavonoid metal complex (FMC) by chelating zinc to epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a flavonoid present in green tea and incorporated into chitosan (CS) to form 3D constructs by freeze drying method. Scanning electron microscopy characterized The scaffolds for surface morphology and pore dimensions and depicted the presence of interconnected porous network. The scaffolds exhibited optimal pore size (>50μm), facilitating bone tissue ingrowth and neovascularization. Inclusion of Zn-EGCG into CS matrix improved the mechanical property by increasing compressive strength (0.53±0.045MPa) and reducing enzymatic degradation with controlled swelling. In addition, increased protein adsorption was observed during the initial hour, which is crucial for cell attachment. Furthermore, the FMC inclusion promoted exogenous biomineralization of CS scaffolds as early as 4d in simulated body fluid. Indirect cytotoxicity measurements indicated the scaffolds with Zn-EGCG had no toxic effects on mouse mesenchymal stem cells (mMSCs). Under osteogenic environment, the scaffold promoted calcium deposition of mMSCs by upregulation of ALP activity and increased expression of osteoblast differentiation markers such as Runx2, ColI, OC and OPN. We found that the involvement of miR-15b/smurf-1 signalling pathway behind the osteogenic potential of the scaffold. In vivo assessments using the chick embryo CAM assay showed enhanced angiogenesis and confirmed the scaffold's biocompatibility with no toxicity. Additionally, in a zebrafish scale regeneration model, the scaffold enhanced calcium deposition and osteoblast marker expression, aligning with the in vitro findings. Overall, form the study it is clear that the osteogenic potential of the scaffold is as follows chitosan<EGCG-Chitosan<Zn-EGCG-Chitosan.

Impact of food additives (sodium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate) on interactions between astringent compounds and an oral cell model

Many foods contain additives like sodium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate to ensure safety, preserve quality, or extend shelf life. Recent studies suggest these additives may influence interactions between astringent compounds and oral cells. Using a tongue epithelium cell model, we investigated how these salts affect interactions between astringent compounds (phenolic and non-phenolic) and oral constituents. The salts reduced the interaction of green tea flavanol-rich extract (GTE) with salivary proteins and altered interactions with tannic acid and alum. The effects varied depending on the specific astringent compound, salt, and oral constituents, with ionic strength playing a role. The reduced adsorption of flavanols from GTE may be due to oxidation induced by these additives, raising concerns about their use. However, sodium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate can modify astringent molecule interactions, potentially influencing the astringency of certain products.

Bioactivity-guided Separation of Antinociceptive and Antioxidant Subfractions from Alkaline Chloroform Fraction of Fenugreek Seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) in an Animal Model

Background: Antinociceptive effect of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) has been reported in different animal models in response to various chemical or thermal stimuli. In a recent study, alkaline chloroform fraction (AKC) of this plant has exhibited the greatest analgesic effect. Objective: In the present study, to isolate the active component(s) from the plant, the subfractions resulting from AKC column chromatography were evaluated in an animal model for anti-nociception effect. Methods: From the 17 separated fractions, 5 major fractions (F4, F6, F14, F15 and F16) were used for the formalin test at three different doses (2.5, 5 10 mg/kg). Antioxidant activity of the most active subfractions was studied too. Results: Subsections F16 and F14 (5, 10 mg/kg) showed the greatest analgesic effect and reduced, which was similar to morphine and even stronger than morphine in some doses. The greatest antioxidant activity was observed by F14 (radical inhibition percentage of 17.34± 0.14 in DPPH assay, reduction power percentage of 74.05±4.23 in RPA versus green tea (91.68± 3.04 and 97.59± 6.24 in DPPH assay and RPA test respectively). The absorbance of F14 was 0.25±0.11 in the FTC method in comparison to ascorbic acid 10 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml (0.72±0.33 and 0.05±0.41 respectively). Conclusion: Separated subfractions exhibited more antinociceptive effect than AKC fraction, so further separation can lead to the acquisition of antinociceptive compound (s), while AKC fraction was found to be more potent antioxidant than separated sub-fractions in all three experiments. So, most likely, the anti-nociception effect of subfractions might be achieved via other mechanisms than antioxidant activity. Based on phytochemical screening, AKC and all sub-fractions especially F14, F15 and F16 were positive for the presence of alkaloids and only F14 was positive for flavonoids.

Jinhua Hecha – A fermented green tea improves sleep via regulating glutamatergic synapses and gut microbiota

Quality sleep is crucial for preserving the internal equilibrium of the body. Sleep problems have become a predominant global health concern in recent years. Jinhua Hecha (JHHC) is a fermented green tea characterized by high amino acid and low tea polyphenols. In animal experiments, the potential beneficial effects of JHHC on sleep quality were evaluated. 50 mice were categorized into five groups: the normal control (NC) group, the FFZR positive control group, the JHHCG (2.3 g/kg) group, the JHHCZ (1.6 g/kg) group, and the JHHCD (0.7 g/kg) group. The sleep experiments revealed that mice from the JHHC group exhibited a notably extended duration of sleep following the intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium, with a shortened sleep latency after injection of barbital sodium. These results suggest that JHHC is beneficial for sleep. Mechanistically, transcriptome KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in the glutamatergic synapse signaling pathway. Immunohistochemistry and multiple immunofluorescence techniques showed decreased protein expressions of GLS, VGLUT2, GluA2, GluA4, GluK1, and mGluR1 in the colon of the JHHC group. Furthermore, an increase in beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Ligilactobacillus, and Akkermansia, as well as a decrease in Alistipes, were observed in the JHHC group. These results indicate that JHHC can improve sleep, with potential mechanisms involving gut microbiota maintenance and glutamate level reduction.