title: The effect of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate in allergic airway inflammation.
abstract: The variety of beneficial effects of green tea has been reported. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major component of green tea extract. The biological activity of EGCG includes anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the precise effect of EGCG on the allergic airway inflammation has not been fully defined.
  
  
  
  In lung tissues of an asthma model-mouse, and nasal epithelial cells of patients with allergic rhinitis, the effect and brief signaling pathway of EGCG on MUC5B expression were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical, and immunoblot analysis.
  
  
  
  In the asthma model-mouse, mucus production, MUC5B expression, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-9 expression of the asthma group were significantly higher than in the control group. Extracellular signal related kinase (ERK)1/2 MAPK expression did not change. Mucus production, MUC5B expression, p38 MAPK expression, and MMP-9 expression of the asthma + EGCG group were significantly lower than in the asthma group. In the nasal epithelial cells of patients with allergic rhinitis, EGCG significantly decreased phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced MUC5B and MMP-9 expression.
  
  
  
  These results suggest that EGCG reduces mucin expression in the asthma model-mouse and nasal epithelial cells of patients with allergic inflammation.
authors.forename: Yoon Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Chang Hoon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Si-Youn
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Yong-Dae
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9