Peroxynitrite-Scavenging Activity of Green Tea Tannin

Abstract

Peroxynitrite formed from superoxide and nitric oxide acts as a strong reactive oxidant. However, among green tea components, catechins with a galloyl group inhibited peroxynitrite formation by 3-morpholinosydnonimine and scavenged peroxynitrite itself. Especially when compared with penicillamine as a positive control, the green tea components (−)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate and (−)-gallocatechin 3-O-gallate, which have two galloyl groups, showed the most potent peroxynitrite-scavenging activity, indicating that the galloyl group may contribute to this activity. A structure of flavan-3-ol linked to gallic acid may be essential for the peroxynitrite-scavenging activity. Keywords: (−)-Epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate; (−)-gallocatechin 3-O-gallate; green tea; peroxynitrite