Theaflavin-3-gallate is a polyphenolic flavonoid that has been found in black tea (C. sinensis) and has diverse biological activities.1,2,3 It scavenges singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, as well as superoxide and hydroxide radicals (IC50s = 0.86, 0.45, 21.7, and 32.49 ?M, respectively), in cell-free assays.1 Theaflavin-3-gallate is cytotoxic to, and induces apoptosis in, OVCAR-3 and A2780/CP70 ovarian cancer, but not non-cancerous IOSE 364 ovarian epithelial, cells when used at concentrations of 20 and 40 ?M.2 It reduces oxazolone-induced ear edema and serum and ear levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-12 in an oxazolone-sensitized mouse model of delayed-type hypersensitivity when administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg.3
1.Wu, Y.-y., Li, W., Xu, Y., et al.Evaluation of the antioxidant effects of four main theaflavin derivatives through chemiluminescence and DNA damage analysesJ. Zhejiang. Univ. Sci. B.12(9)744-751(2011) 2.Gao, Y., Rankin, G.O., Tu, Y., et al.Inhibitory effects of the four main theaflavin derivatives found in black tea on ovarian cancer cellsAnticancer Res.36(2)643-651(2016) 3.Yoshino, K., Yamazaki, K., and Sano, M.Preventive effects of black tea theaflavins against mouse type IV allergyJ. Sci. Food Agric.90(12)1983-1987(2010)