(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) is the major component of green tea and is known to show strong biological activity, although it can be easily oxidized under physiological conditions. In this study, we indicate that EGCg is stable in human serum and that human serum albumin (HSA) stabilizes EGCg under aerobic condition. Although EGCg is usually decomposed within 1 h in aqueous solution at neutral pH, EGCg in serum and phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) containing HSA was stable over 1 h, even at neutral and slightly alkaline pH. Under these conditions, EGCg binds to HSA non-covalently. The sulfhydryl group acts as an antioxidant for EGCg oxidation. Incubation of EGCg with HSA is accompanied by the oxidation of a free sulfhydryl group in HSA. These results suggest that the antioxidant property and the binding capacity of HSA contribute to the stabilization of EGCg in human serum.
Catechins are the major polyphenols in green tea leaves. Recent studies have suggested that the catechins form complexes with HSA for transport in human blood, and their binding affinity for albumin is believed to modulate their bioavailability. In this study, the binding affinities of catechins and their analogs were evaluated and the relationship between the chemical structure of each catechin and its binding property were investigated. Comparing these catechins by HPLC analysis with the HSA column, we showed that galloylated catechins have higher binding affinities with HSA than non-galloylated catechins. In addition, pyrogallol-type catechins have a high affinity compared to catechol-type catechins. Furthermore, the binding affinity of the catechin with 2,3-trans structure was higher than those of the catechin with 2,3-cis structure. The importance of the hydroxyl group on the galloyl group and B-ring was confirmed using methylated catechins. These results indicate that the most important structural element contributing to HSA binding of tea catechins is the galloyl group, followed by the number of hydroxyl groups on the B-ring and the galloyl group or the configuration at C-2. Our findings provide fundamental information on the relationship between the chemical structure of tea catechins and its biological activity.
The new acylated polyphenols were isolated from a red-colored vinegar produced via fermentation with purple-fleshed sweet potato storage roots, and identified mainly by MS and NMR. The three acylated sophoroses were determined as 6-O-(E)-caffeoyl-(2-O-(6-O-acyl)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl)-d-glucopyranoses, where acyl was (E)-caffeoyl, p-hydroxybenzoyl, and (E)-feruloyl, respectively. The four acylated anthocyanins were also determined as cyanidin 3-O-(6-O-(E)-caffeoyl-(2-O-(6-O-(E)-feruloyl)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl)-beta-d-glucopyranoside), in addition to peonidin 3-O-(6-O-(E)-caffeoyl-(2-O-(6-O-acyl)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl)-beta-d-glucopyranosides), where acyl was (E)-caffeoyl, p-hydroxybenzoyl, and (E)-feruloyl, respectively. The diacylated sophoroses showed higher antioxidant capacity than that of monoacylated analogue 6-caffeoylsophorose, so the multiacylation established to enhance their antioxidant capacity. Similarly, 5-deglucosylated anthocyanins also gave somewhat stronger antioxidation than corresponding sweet potato anthocyanins. In rat intestinal alpha-glucosidase inhibition study, the diacylated sophoroses preferably inhibited maltase rather than sucrase with an IC(50) value of <300 microM, indicating a potential role as antidiabetic phytochemicals. These acylated polyphenols in a red vinegar were expected to play important functional roles for health.
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