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Green tea catechin shows promise in HIV prevention - Recommended Practices - Brief Article

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a catechin found in green tea, prevents HIV from binding to human T cells, according to a Nov 10, 2003, news release from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Green tea is a nonoxidized, unfermented product of Leaves from Camellia sinensis, an evergreen plant. It is made up of catechins, chiefly EGCG, and has been credited with possessing health benefits, including cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention properties.

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Binding of HIV to human T cells is the first step in HIV infection. In laboratory studies, researchers from the University of Tokyo demonstrated that EGCG blocked HIM envelope glycoprotein from binding with human CD4 molecules on human T cells. The CD4 molecule acts as a binding target for HIV vesicles and plays a role in the infection process. Researchers found that EGCG has an affinity for the CD4 molecule and that binding EGCG to this molecule blocked binding of HIV.

Researchers caution that green tea should not be used to counter HIV infection or as an alternative therapy to currently used antiviral agents. The concentrations of EGCG used in the Laboratory studies were many times greater than the blood concentration that would be achieved by an individual who drinks green tea. The study findings, however, do call for additional research into potential clinical applications for EGCG.

Elements of Green Tea Prevent HIV from Binding to Human T Cells (news release, Milwaukee: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, Nov 10, 2003) http://www.aaaai.org/media/news_releases/2003/11/111003.stm (accessed 2 Jan 2004).

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Green tea catechin shows promise in HIV prevention - Recommended Practices - Brief Article

AORN Journal, Feb, 2004

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