Epicatechin content in green tea (Camellia sinensis) supplements and their antioxidant activities The WritePass Journal

Epicatechin content in green tea (Camellia sinensis) supplements and their antioxidant activities Introduction/background Epicatechin content in green tea (Camellia sinensis) supplements and their antioxidant activities ). Their most important role in the body is to protect cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are the unstable molecular species containing an unpaired electron that are able to exist independently. Most of these species are highly reactive and are potentially damaging to the cells (Lobo, et.al. 2010). Some of the common oxygen- free radicals that are involved in many human diseases include hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, oxygen singlet, hypochlorite, nitric oxide radical, and peroxynitrite radical. Increased levels of these reactive species in the body cells induce damage of the DNA, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Thus, a balance between free radicals and antioxidants is necessary for proper physiological function (Lobo, et.al. 2010). Any dis-balance in this may result the initiation of various diseases including cancer, vascular diseases and degenerative diseases. Hence, the study of antioxidants and their sources have been the focus of intense research. 1.4. Brief information on herbal supplements to use in the project This project studies the presence of epicatechin content in Camellia sinensis; thus, the project uses herbal capsules from Camellia sinensis as herbal supplements. Camellia sinenis is taken as green tea and contains antioxidants in it, which is why it is commonly used in herbal medicine. Epicatechin is abundantly found in Camellia sinensis herbal supplement. Cameillia sinensis also contains various active compounds as extracts. Some of the major active compounds found in Camellia sinensis include catechins, caffeine, flavonols and proanthocyanidins (Charles, 2013). The health benefits of green tea (Camellia sinensis) epicatechins are being extensively studied and explained . Endothelial cells are associated to vascular function and homeostasis whose dysfunction may have implication in cardiovascular disease including atherogenesis. (Moore, et.al. 2009). Moreover, some studies suggest their anticancer role by enchaining apoptosis (Ravindranath, et.al. 2009). With findings emerging fro m several new studies regarding the health benefits of the green tea from Camellia sinensis, it is being increasingly popular among the people. Methods Simple and reliable techniques will be chosen in this project to investigate epicatechin content in Camellia sinenis. Experiments will be carried out using reflux extraction to determine the biologically active compounds present in the test supplement (herbal capsules from Camellia sinensis). This will be confirmed by NMR analysis. NMR analysis will be done to confirm that determination of correct biological compound including antioxidants from Camellia sinensis. Crude extract will be made from the material extracted from herbal capsules using a suitable solvent under reflux, which will then be run on thin layer chromatography (TLC) to see if a corresponding band for the standard also appears in the extract. This will tell whether or not the compound is present in the extract, as the study of organic compounds present in the supplement of Camellia sinensis can be made using this technique. To cut of the evaporation time, rotary evaporation method will be employed while evaporating th e solvent. Reverse phase analytical high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) will be used to identify the standard compound in the extract and then to quantify the amount of compound in it. Finally, the antioxidant assay will be carried out to determine the antioxidant activity of the extracted compound; as a control, plant Flavonoid quercetin, which has antioxidant activity, will be used. REFERENCES Charles, J.D. (2013). Antioxidant Properties of Spices, Herbs and Other Sources.  Natural Antioxidants.   39-64. Chan, E.W.C, Eu, Y.S, Tie, P.P, Law, Y.P. (2011). Pharmacognosy Research.  Antioxidant and antibacterial properties of green, black, and herbal teas of Camellia sinensis.  3(4), 266-272. Irshad, M and Chaudhuri, P.S. (2002). Indian journal of experimental biology.  Oxidant-antioxidant system: role and significance in human body..  40(11), 1233-1239. Lobo, V, Patil, A, Phatak, A, Chandra, N. (2010). Pharmacogn Rev.  Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health.  4(8), 118-126. Moore, R.J, Jackson, K.G, Minihane, A.M. (2010). The British journal of nutrition.  Green tea (Camellia sinensis) catechins and vascular function. 96(4), 597-605. 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