Isolation of 3-Galloylprocyanidin B₃, a Glucosyltransferase Inhibitor from the Korean Green Tea Leaves

In the course of surveying the anti-plaque agents for dental caries prevention, the extract of Korean green tea leaves (KGTL) was tested for inhibitory activity against Streptococcus mutans adhering to glass surfaces in the presence of crude glucosyltransferase (GTase). The extracts of KGTL showed a positive inhibitory activity against GTase. The active compound was purified through Sephadex LH-20 and MCI gel CHP-20P columns. A positive reaction was shown in the anisaldehyde-$H_2SO_4$ test, which confirmed the condensed tannin. The inhibitory compound was identified as 3-galloylprocyanidin $B_3$ through IR, negative FAB-mass, and $^{1}H$-NMR spectroscopic analyses. Acetone extract and 3- galloylprocyanidin $B_3$ of KGTL showed inhibitory effect against GTase. The percent of inhibition was determinated to be 71.84% (P<0.01) with 10 mM 3-galloylprocyanidin B3. The 3-galloylprocyanidin $B_3$, which possessed a galloyl, showed a higher inhibitory activity against glucosyltransferase than monomeric (+)-catechin and procyanidine $B_3$ which had no galloyl group.