Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2003 May;8(2):47-51.
doi: 10.1007/BF02897926.

The effect of epigallocatechin gallate on intestinal motility in mice

Michal Ceregrzyn  1 , Atsukazu Kuwahara
Affiliations

The effect of epigallocatechin gallate on intestinal motility in mice

Michal Ceregrzyn et al. Environ Health Prev Med. 2003 May.

Abstract

Objectives: The epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg) that is present in human diet originates mainly from tea leaves. Catechins have a number of possible application as medicines, however, there is no consistent evidence showing their influence on the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EGCg on the motility of the murine isolated intestine.

Methods: Segments of jejunum submerged in Krebs buffer were exposed to EGCg and the response was recorded under isometric conditions.

Results: EGCg induced a dose-dependent inhibition of spontaneous activity in the jejunum. EGCg induced a decrease in the amplitude and frequency of jejunal contractions. moreover, the rythmicity of spontaneous, activity was altered in the presence of EGCg. A significant effect of EGCg was observed in the presence of 10(-4) M. The effect of EGCg was in part inhibited by pretreatment with methylene blue (guanylate cyclase inhibitor), while tetrodotoxin, (sodium channel blocker), L-nitro arginine methyl ester (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), and N-ethylmaleimide (adenylate cyclase inhibitor) showed no effect.

Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that EGCg inhibits the motility of the jejunum by direct action on smooth muscle cells where a guanylate cyclase-dependent mechanism may be partly involved.

Keywords: epigallocatechin; intestine; motility; mouse.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. {'text': '', 'ref_index': 1, 'ids': [{'type': 'DOI', 'value': '10.1080/10715760000301151', 'is_inner': False, 'url': 'https://doi.org/10.1080/10715760000301151'}, {'type': 'PubMed', 'value': '11200094', 'is_inner': True, 'url': 'https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11200094/'}]}
    2. Baba S, Osakabe N, Yasuda A, Natsume M, Takizawa T, Nakamura T, Terao J. Bioavailability of (−)-epicatechin upon intake of chocolate and cocoa in human volunteers. Free Radic. Res. 2000; 33: 635–641. - PubMed
    1. {'text': '', 'ref_index': 1, 'ids': [{'type': 'PubMed', 'value': '11237200', 'is_inner': True, 'url': 'https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11237200/'}]}
    2. Miyazawa T. Absorption, metabolism and antioxidative effects of tea catechin in humans. Biofactors 2000; 13: 55–59. - PubMed
    1. {'text': '', 'ref_index': 1, 'ids': [{'type': 'PubMed', 'value': '11385060', 'is_inner': True, 'url': 'https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11385060/'}]}
    2. Warden BA, Smith LS, Beecher GR, Balentine DA, Clevidence BA. Catechins Are Bioavailable in Men and Women Drinking Black Tea throughout the Day. J. Nutr. 2001; 131: 1731–1737. - PubMed
    1. {'text': '', 'ref_index': 1, 'ids': [{'type': 'PubMed', 'value': '6497500', 'is_inner': True, 'url': 'https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6497500/'}]}
    2. Viswanathan S, Thirugnana Sambantham P, Bapna JS, Kameswaran L. Flavonoid-induced delay in the small intestinal transit: possible mechanism of action. Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. Ther. 1984; 270: 151–157. - PubMed
    1. {'text': '', 'ref_index': 1, 'ids': [{'type': 'PubMed', 'value': '7908974', 'is_inner': True, 'url': 'https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7908974/'}]}
    2. Di Carlo G, Autore G, Izzo AA, Maiolino P, Mascolo N, Viola P, Diurno MV, Capasso F. Inhibition of intestinal motility and secretion by flavonoids in mice and rats: structure-activity relationships. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1993; 45: 1054–1059. - PubMed