title: Stabilisation of collagen by betel nut polyphenols as a mechanism in oral submucous fibrosis.
abstract: Treatment of reconstituted collagen fibrils and pieces of rat dermis with the crude extract, purified tannins or (+)-catechin from betel nut (Areca catechu) increases their resistance to both human and bacterial collagenases in a concentration-dependent manner. These tanning agents may stabilise collagen in vivo following damage to the oral epithelium, and promote the sub-epithelial fibrosis which occurs in betel nut chewers.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001114:Areca / Q000032:analysis*; D002392:Catechin / Q000494:pharmacology; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005419:Flavonoids; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000378:metabolism; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009914:Oral Submucous Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010636:Phenols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000032:analysis*; D011108:Polymers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D013634:Tannins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010636:Phenols; D011108:Polymers; D013634:Tannins; D002392:Catechin; D003094:Collagen; D003012:Microbial Collagenase