title: Increased microbicidal activity of green tea (Camellia sinensis) in combination with butylated hydroxyanisole.
abstract: We have demonstrated that green tea (Camellia sinensis) shows increased antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi when used in combination with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Glycolic extract taken from green tea showed only limited activity against Streptococcus mutans and no activity against Candida albicans and certain strains of Escherichia coli. BHA, at non inhibitory concentrations, increased the microbicidal activity of green tea against 10(10) S. mutans (p<0.01), non-susceptible E. coli (p<0.01) and C. albicans (p<0.01). Green tea in combination with BHA reduced the hydrophobicity of S. mutans (p<0.01) and greatly inhibited (p<0.001) the formation of hyphae in C. albicans. The increased antimicrobial activity of green tea is related to an impairment of the barrier function in microorganisms and a depletion of thiol groups. The increased activity of green tea as an oral antimicrobial product is discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Rome La Sapienza, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simonetti
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Simonetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villa
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002083:Butylated Hydroxyanisole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028241:Camellia sinensis; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002083:Butylated Hydroxyanisole