Modulation of arsenic induced cytotoxicity by tea.

No Thumbnail Available
Date
2003-07-26
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Arsenic, a naturally ocurring chemical element, is considered hazardous to human health. Inorganic arsenic compounds were found to induce cytotoxicity in Chinese hamster V-79 cells in culture. The arsenite form was more toxic than arsenate. Extracts of green and two varieties of black tea, as well as their principal polyphenols, (-)-epigallocatechingallate and theaflavin, efficiently counteracted the cytotoxic effects of arsenic compounds. On the basis of the amount of tea extract that afforded 50% protection to the cells from arsenic induced cytotoxicity, black tea was found to be as effective as green tea. The protective effect was attributable to the contents of not only (-)-epigallocatechingallate but also of theaflavin, the latter being a predominant polyphenol present in black tea.
Description
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention.
Keywords
Citation
Sinha D, Roy M, Dey S, Siddiqi M, Bhattacharya RK. Modulation of arsenic induced cytotoxicity by tea. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2003 Jul-Sep; 4(3): 233-7