PLATELET-AGGREGATION INHIBITORS IN HOT WATER EXTRACT OF GREEN TEA

The effect of hot water extract of green tea on the collagen-induced aggregation of washed rabbit platelets was examined. The extract lowered submaximal aggregation and prolonged the lag time in a dose-dependent manner. After fractionation of the extract, it was revealed that the tea catechins (tannins) are active principles for inhibition and that ester-type catechins are more effective than free-type catechins. One of the ester type catechins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), suppressed the collagen-induced platelet aggregation completely at the concentration of 0.2 mg/ml (= 0.45 mM). Comparing IC50values of EGCG and aspirin it was found that the potency of EGCG is comparable to that of aspirin. Thrombin-and platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced aggregation was also inhibited by EGCG. The elevation of cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) level was not observed in EGCG treated platelets. © 1990, The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. All rights reserved.