Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of Chinese tea: in vitro study

Background: Chinese tea has an antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacteria. However, its activity against Helicobacter pylori has not been reported. Method: In this study the anti-Helicobacter pylori effects of a Chinese tea (Lung Chen tea), and two tea catechins, epigallocatechin gallate and epica techin and their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were examined. Th e effect of Lung Chen on metronidazole resistance was also studied using th e E-test. Results: Lung Chen, epigallocatechin gallate and epicatechin all inhibited the growth of H. pylori. The MIC90 for Lung Chen was 0.25-0.5% (w/w) and th at of epigallocatechin gallate and epicatechin were 50-100 and 800-1600 mu g/mL, respectively. Epigallocatechin gallate is probably the active ingredi ent responsible for most of the anti-H. pylori activity of Chinese tea. Lun g Chen did not reverse metronidazole resistance. Conclusions: Chinese tea has anti-H. pylori activity in a daily consumed co ncentration, and epigallocatechin gallate is probably the active ingredient responsible for the action.