• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.224-232
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• 2008

The health benefits associated with tea consumption have resulted in the wide inclusion of green tea extracts in botanical dietary supplements, which are widely consumed as adjuvants for complementary and alternative medicines. Tea contains polyphenols such as catechins or flavan-3-ols including (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), as well as the alkaloid, caffeine. The contents of catechins and caffeine in green tea are considered as a standard of quality evaluation of green tea. Therefor, the purpose of this study was to investigate the most suitable HPLC condition for simultaneous determination of catechins and caffeine in green tea extracts. The efficient HPLC analytical condition of catechins and caffeine contained green tea extracts was developed. The gradient elution employed a $250\;mm\;{\times}\;4.6\;mm$ i.d. YMC-pak ODS-AM 303 column. The gradient system was used two mobile phases. A gradient elution was performed with mobile phase A, consisting of 0.1% aqueous phosphoric acid, and mobile phase B, comprising 100% MeOH, and delivered at a flow rate of 1 mL/min as follows: $0{\sim}25\;min$, 80% A; $26{\sim}50\;min$, $80{\sim}70%$ A; 51 min, 80% A. $51{\sim}55\;min$, 80% A. The UV detection wavelength was set at 280 nm. The limit of detection (LOD) for catechins and caffeine standards were under 50 ng/mL.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.229-232
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• 2010

Caffeine and catechins from the Yabukita, Yutakamidori, Saemidori, Okumidori, and Fushun varieties of tea leaves picked during different harvesting seasons from April to October were evaluated using HPLC. Total content of catechins increased greatly with the later harvesting time of tea leaves (i.e., picking the leaves in September versus in April) and decreased slightly after September. Yabukita tea leaves picked in August contained 43.1 mg% catechins including EGC, EC, ECG, and EGCG, with the ECGC levels constituting greater than 50% of those four compounds. Yutakamidori and Okumidori varieties picked in September contained the highest catechin values, at 43.6 mg% and 31.0 mg%, respectively. Fushun and Saemidori varieties contained lower catechin concentrations of 14.5 mg% (July) and 11.7 mg% (August) compared to other varieties. The EGCG levels gradually decreased in the late harvesting season, while levels of the other catechins, EC, EGC, and ECG, gradually increased. All varieties of green tea showed a gradual decrease in caffeine content toward the end of our harvesting efforts in October, with levels of 58～68 mg% in April and 28～57 mg% in October. Yabukita, Saemidori, and Okumidori varieties reached their highest caffeine levels in late spring/early summer, with Yabukita and Okumidori varieties reaching a high of 73.4% and 63.5% caffeine, respectively, in May, and Saemidori at 64.0% in June. In particular, Fushun still contained high caffeine of 66.8 mg% (September) during the late harvesting season.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.734-740
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of green tea catechins on the antioxidative defense enzyme activity of kidney in diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighting 100$\pm$10g were randomly assigned to one normal and three STZ-induced diabetic groups; catechin free diet(DM-0C group), 0.25% catechin diet(DM-0.25C group) and 0.5% catechin diet(DM-0.5C group). Diabetes was induced by intravenous of 55mg/Kg body weight of STZ in sodium citrate buffer(pH 4.3) after 4 weeks feeding of experimental diets. Rats were sacrified at the 6th day of diabetic states. Superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity in kidney was decreased by 25% and 20% in DM-0C and DM-0.25C groups compared with normal group, DM-0.5C group was not significantly different when compared with normal group. Glutathione peroxidase(GSHpx) activity in kidney was were no significant differences the diabetic groups compared to normal group. Xanthin oxidase(XOD) activity was increased by 110% and 63% in DM-0C and DM-0.25C groups compared with normal group, DM-0.5C group was not significantly different when compared with normal group. The contents of superoxide radical(O$_2$)in kindney were 116% and 33%, respectively, higher in DM-0C and DM-0.25C groups than normal group. DM-0.5C group and normal groups were similar levels in their superoxide radical contents of kidneys. Levels of TBARS(thiobarbituric acid reactive substance) in kidney were increased by 62% in DM-0C group, when compared with normal group, but those of DM-0.5C group were similar to that of normal groups. These results indicate that free radical generation system was weakened and free radical scavenger system was enhance in kidney of STZ-induced diabetics rats by dietary catechin. Thereby it may reduce renal disorders such as oxidative damage and aging of tissue.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2013

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of green tea catechin on microsomal phospholipase $A_2(PLA_2)$ activity and the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade in hearts of microwave exposed rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing $100{\pm}10$ g were randomly assigned to one normal group and three microwave exposed groups. The microwave exposed groups were subdivided into three groups: catechin free diet (MW) group, 0.25% catechin (MW-0.25C group and 0.5% catechin (MW-0.5C) group according to the levels of dietary catechin supplementation. Rats were sacrificed $6^{th}$ day after microwave irradiations (2.45 GHz, 15 min). The heart microsome $PLA_2$ activity in the MW group was 130% greater than that of normal groups, whereas there was no significant difference between normal group and MW-0.25C, MW-0.5C group. The per- centage phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) hydrolyzed in the heart microsome in the MW was increased 54% by microwave irra- diation, whereas there was no significant difference between normal group and MW-0.5C group. The percentage phosphatidyl choline (PC) hydrolyzed in the heart microsome in the MW group was increased by 104% and by microwave irradiation, whereas there was no significant difference between normal group and MW-0.5C group. The formation of thromboxane $A_2(TXA_2)$ in the heart microsome was 70% greater in the MW group than in the normal group. However, the MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C group maintained the normal level. The formation of prostacyclin ($PGI_2$) in the heart microsome was 21% lower in the MW group than in the normal group, while that of MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C group were maintained in the normal group. The heart microsomal thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations, as an index of lipid peroxide, were 71% greater in the MW group, as compared with normal group. However, the MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C group were 4.6% and 9.2% lower, respectively, than that of MW group. In conclusion, heart function appeared to be improved by green tea catechin supplementation due to its antithrombus action, which in return controls the AA cascade system.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of green tea catechin on mixed function oxidase system (MFO), lipofuscin contents, carbonyl value, oxidative damage and the antioxidative defense system in lung of microwave exposed rats. Experimental groups were divided to normal group and microwave exposed group. The microwave exposed groups were subdivided into three groups: catechin free diet (MW-0C) group, 0.25% catechin (MW-0.25C) group and 0.5 ％ catechin (MW-0.5C) group according to the levels of dietary catechin supplementation. The rats were irradiated with microwave at frequency of 2.45 GHz for 15 min. Experimental animals were sacrificed at 6th day after microwave irradiation. The contents of cytochrome P$_{450}$ contents in MW-0C group was increased to 95% , compared with normal group. MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C groups were reduced to 16% and 31%, respectively, compared with MW-0C group. The activity of NADPH-cytochrome P$_{450}$ reductase in MW-0C group was increased to 44%, compared with normal group. MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C groups were reduced to 12% and 17％, respectively, compared with MW-0C group. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in MW-0C group was decreased to 21 ％, compared with normal group. MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C group were significantly (p < 0.05) increased, compared with MW-0C group. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) in MW-0C group was significantly decreased, compared with normal group. MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C groups were recovered to the level of normal group. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content in MW-0C group was increased to 34 ％, compared with normal group. Catechin supplementation groups were maintained the level of normal group. The levels of caybonyl value in MW-0C group was increased to 21 ％, compared with normal group. MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C groups were reduced to 14% and 12%, respectively, compared with MW-0C group. The lipofuscin contents in MW-0C group were increased to 23.4 ％, compared with normal group. That of MW-0.5C group was significantly reduced, compared with MW-0C group. In conclusion, MFO system was activated and the formation of oxidized protein, lipofuscin was increased and antioxidative defense system was weakened of lung tissue in microwave exposed rats, thus oxidative damage was increased. But it was rapidly recovered to normal level by green tea catechin supplementation.n.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.278-285
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• 2012

In an experiment in which fermentation was done by adding fungal species that have antibiosis but do not have cellulase, the extraction amount of EGC, EC, EGCG, and ECG increased in all samples that fermented by adding sun-dried salt compared to those that fermented only with green tea after fermenting green tea by mixing it with sun-dried salt. In the analysis conducted according to the days of fermentation, the high extraction amounts of EGC(epigallocatechin), ECG(epicatechin gallate), EC(epicatechin), and EGCG(epigallocatechin gallate) were detected on the second and third day. Furthermore, when fermentation was done by adding ferment bacillus, all types of catechin(EGC, EC, EGCG, ECG) extraction increased in Paenibacillus spp but in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, EGC and EC decreased while EGCG and ECG increased; whereas in Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis all types of catechin(EGC, EC, EGCG, ECG) decreased. The results of the above experiment reveal that the largest amount of catechin was extracted from the result which conducted fermentation for three days together with sun-dried salt and Paenibacillus spp in the green tea.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.49-61
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• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate the chemical composition and the inorganic constituents of the green tea at the 3 picking periods (Ujeon, Sejag, Jungjag) in Hadong. The results as follows ; The contents of chlorophyll, tannin, vitamin-c and total catechin were increased as picking periods increased but the contents of total nitrogen, total free amino acids, theanine and caffeine were decreased on the reverse. The inorganic constituents Mg, Ca and Mn were increased as picking periods getting late but the Na, K, B contents were decreased on the reverse. The contents of the total nitrogen, chlorophyll, total free amino acid, theanine, caffeine and total catechin and Na, Mg, Ca, B and Se were insignificant differences between Ujeon and Sejag.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.202-209
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• 2000

The factors affecting chemical composition of green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) during extraction process were temperatures and times. The optimum extraction conditions were measured in relation to the changes of chemical compositions from water extracts of green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) under different extraction temperatures (50, 70, 9$0^{\circ}C$) and extraction times (1, 3, 5 minute). The change of color intensity during browning reaction, flavonoid components, contents of total phenols and hydrogen donating activity (reducing activity for $\alpha$, $\alpha$'-diphenyl-$\beta$ -picryhydrazyl) of water extracts form green tea increased as extraction temperatures increased from 50 to 9$0^{\circ}C$ and extraction times prolonged from 1 to 5 min. The contents of important free sugars such as sucrose and glucose slightly increased as the extraction time was prolonged, while little difference in the content of fructose with the prolonged extraction time. Catechins contents extracted from the commercial steamed green tea were increased at higher temperature and longer extraction time. Epigallocatechin (EGC) extracted from 9$0^{\circ}C$ (extraction time 5 min). presented 99.9 mg/g in highest composition of catechin followed by epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECg). The content of vitamin C extracted from green tea was increased about 2 times as the extraction temperature increased from 50 to 9$0^{\circ}C$ and as the extraction time increased from 1 to 5 min. with exception at 9$0^{\circ}C$(extraction time:5 min) which showed less vitamin C content than 7$0^{\circ}C$(extraction time : 3 min) probably due to possible destruction of vitamin C by high temperature.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2002

Green tea has been recognized as a favorite beverage for centuries in Easter and Westers cultures. Recently, anti-tumor effects of green tea constituents have received increasing attention. However, the mechanism of catechin-mediated cytotoxicity against tumor cells remains to be elusive. To elucidate the mechanical insights of anti-tumor effects, (-)epigallocatechin-gallate(EGCG) of catechin was applied to human lung cancer A549 cells. (-)EGCG induced the death of A549 cells, which was revealed as apoptosis in DNA fragmentation assay. (-)EGCG induced the activation of caspase family cysteine proteases including capase-3, -8 and -9 proteases in A549 cells. Furthermore, (-)EGCG increased the phosphotransferase activity of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1JNK 1), which further induced tole transcriptional activation of activating protein-1(AP-1) in A549 cells. We suggest that (-)EGCG-induced apotosis of A549 cells is mediated by signaling pathway involving caspase family cysteine protease, JNK1 and transcription factor, AP-1.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.881-886
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to Investigate the effects of green tea catechin on changes of mineral contents in chronic cadmium-poisoned rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100 $\pm$ 10g were randomly assigned one of normal group and three cadmium poisoned groups. Cadmium groups were classified to catechin free diet(Cd-0C group), 0.25% catechin diet(Cd-0.25C group) and 0.5% catechin diet(Cd-0.5C group) according to the levels of catechin supplement. Animals were raised for 20 weeks. Cadmium was supplied in drinking water which contained 50ppm Cd$^{2+}$. Effects of catechin were analyzed on changes of mineral contents in chronic cadmium poisoned rats by determining the calcium accumulation in bones, blood, urine and faces and phosphorus In blood and urine. Cd-poisoning inducted the decrease of red blood cell(RBC), white blood cell(WBC), contents of blood hemoglobin and hematocrit, but the levels of those indices were increased by catechin supplementation. The contents of tibia and femur in Cd-0C group was significantly lower than in normal group, but those of catechin supplemetation group was similar to normal group. The calcium contents of urine and faces were higher in Cd-poisoned groups than in normal group, but they was lowered by catechin supplementation. The phosphorus contents of blood and urine in Cd-0C group was significantly lower than in normal group, but that of catechin supplementation group was similar to normal group. Catechin supplementation improved the calcium metabolism in chronic cadmium poisoned rats by increasing the contents of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus in blood and femur and by lowering the urinary and fecal calcium.m.