Antimalarial properties of green tea.
We show here that a crude extract of green tea as well as two of its main constituents, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and epicatechin gallate (ECG), strongly inhibit Plasmodium falciparum growth in vitro. Both these catechins are found to potentiate the antimalarial effects of artemisinin without interfering with the folate pathway. The importance of these findings and their mechanistic implications are discussed in view of future therapeutic strategies.
Sannella
Anna Rosa
AR
Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Vector-Borne Diseases and International Health Section, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Messori
Luigi
L
Casini
Angela
A
Francesco Vincieri
Franco
F
Bilia
Anna Rita
AR
Majori
Giancarlo
G
Severini
Carlo
C
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002392:Catechin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*
D000962:Antimalarials; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013662:Tea; D002392:Catechin; C062669:epicatechin gallate; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate