The efficacy of early treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis with benifuuki green tea containing O-methylated catechin before pollen exposure: an open randomized study.
BACKGROUND
We previously reported that 'benifuuki' green tea containing O-methylated catechin significantly relieved the symptoms of perennial or seasonal rhinitis compared with a placebo green tea that did not contain O-methylated catechin in randomized double-blind clinical trials. In this study we assessed the effects of 'benifuuki' green tea on clinical symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis.


METHODS
An open-label, single-dose, randomized, parallel-group study was performed on 38 subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis. The subjects were randomly assigned to long-term (December 27, 2006-April 8, 2007, 1.5 months before pollen exposure) or short-term (February 15, 2007: after cedar pollen dispersal--April 8, 2007) drinking of a 'benifuuki' tea drink containing 34 mg O-methylated catechin per day. Each subject recorded their daily symptom scores in a diary. The primary efficacy variable was the mean weekly nasal symptom medication score during the study period.


RESULTS
The nasal symptom medication score in the long-term intake group was significantly lower than that of the short-term intake group at the peak of pollen dispersal. The symptom scores for throat pain, nose-blowing, tears, and hindrance to activities of daily living were significantly better in the long-term group than the short-term group. In particular, the differences in the symptom scores for throat pain and nose-blowing between the 2 groups were marked.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that drinking 'benifuuki' tea for 1.5 months prior to the cedar pollen season is effective in reducing symptom scores for Japanese cedar pollinosis.
Maeda-Yamamoto
Mari
M
National Institute of Vegetable and Tea Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Shizuoka. marimy@affrc.go.jp
Ema
Kaori
K
Monobe
Manami
M
Shibuichi
Ikuo
I
Shinoda
Yuki
Y
Yamamoto
Tomohiro
T
Fujisawa
Takao
T
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028244:Camellia / Q000737:chemistry*; D002392:Catechin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use; D032485:Cryptomeria / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013662:Tea; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000485:Allergens; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013662:Tea; C420224:epigallocatechin-3-(3''-O-methyl)gallate; D002392:Catechin