The Antithrombotic Effects of Green Tea Catechins

녹차 카테킨류의 항혈전 효과

Green tea catechins(GTC) were studied for its inhibitory effect on human platelet aggregation in vitro, for its antithrombotic effect in mice in viro, and bleeding and clotting time in rats. The catechins were isolated and purified from green tea, which were composed of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin, (-)epicatechin gallate and (-)-epicatechin, GTC produced a potent inhibition of human platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner against the stimulants such as ADP, collagen, epinephrine and ristocetin n vitro. GTC also prevented death due to the formation of pulmonary thrombosis by platelet aggregates in mice in a dose-de-pendent manner in viro. GTC increased the bleeding time, whole blood clotting time and plasma clotting time in rats, too. These results suggest that GTC is a promising antithrombotic agent.