J. Technology and Education, Vol.18, No.1, pp.9-14, 2011
General Paper
 
Preventive Effects of Black Tea Theaflavins on Mouse Type I Allergy Induced by Ovalbumin
 
Kyoji YOSHINO*1, Yuji YAMASHITA1, Katsuko YAMAZAKI2, Tetsuya KAWAGUCHI2, and Mitsuaki SANO2
1 Numazu College of Technology (3600 Ooka, Numazu, Shizuoka 410-8501, Japan)
2 Nagoya Women’s University (3-40 Shioji-cho, Mizuho, Nagoya 467-8610, Japan)
* k-yoshino@numazu-ct.ac.jp
 
(Received January 20, 2011; Accepted March 25, 2011)
 
Abstract
The preventive effects of black tea theaflavins, theaflavin-3-gallate (3-TF) and theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TFDG), on mouse type I allergic models induced by ovalbumin were investigated. The antiallergic activities on mouse type I allergy were determined using the abdominal wall method. The oral administration of 3-TF and TFDG at 10 and 50 mg/kg body weight tended to prevent type I allergic symptoms in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with TFDG at 50 mg/kg body weight exhibited a significant antiallergic effect. Therefore, the theaflavins would contribute to the antiallergic effects of black tea.
 
Keywords: Black tea, Theaflavin, Type I allergy, Mouse