title: Bioactive-rich Sideritis scardica tea (mountain tea) is as potent as Camellia sinensis tea at inducing cellular antioxidant defences and preventing oxidative stress.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In several countries, tea (hot-water infusions of dried Camellia sinensis (CS) leaves) is a major source of antioxidant flavonoids, and its consumption has been associated with several favourable outcomes. Other plants used for the preparation of herbal teas are sources of phenolic antioxidant compounds; among them Sideritis scardica (SS) is used for the preparation of a popular drink throughout Eastern and Central Europe. We have compared the effects of an SS extract to a CS extract in HepG2 cells to set the scientific basis for the exploitation of other herbal teas in counteraction of oxidative stress.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although SS extract had a lower phenolic concentration and total antioxidant capacity than CS extract, their cellular antioxidant effects were similar. The different phenolic pattern of the extracts suggests that the protective activity is not limited to catechins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although further research is needed, our data represent a first contribution for the evaluation of the potential effect of SS in increasing antioxidant defences. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors: Department of Agri-Food Sciences and Technologies, University of Bologna, 47521, Cesena, FC, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Danesi
authors: Shikha
authors: S
authors: Saha
authors: Paul A
authors: PA
authors: Kroon
authors: Marija
authors: M
authors: Glibetić
authors: Aleksandra
authors: A
authors: Konić-Ristić
authors: Luigi F
authors: LF
authors: D'Antuono
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Bordoni
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D031365:Sideritis / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Camellia sinensis; HepG2 cells; Sideritis scardica; antioxidant defences; tea, oxidative stress