Regardless of the Brewing Conditions, Various Types of Tea are a Source of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized, among others, by abnormally low levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) plays a significant role in the process through hydrolysis of the acetylcholine neurotransmitter. Currently, the main method for treatment of AD at a symptomatic stage entails administration of AChE inhibitors to patients diagnosed with the disease. However, it is also possible to take certain steps to treat AD by delivering inhibitors with food. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that tea (Camellia sinensis) shows numerous beneficial properties, including improving cognitive abilities. This is particularly important in the case of AD patients. The study assessed the impact of brewing conditions on the inhibition of AChE activity observed in tea extracts (black, white, or fruit). Our study revealed that neither temperature nor time of brewing influenced the respective infusions' ability to inhibit the activity of AChE. Anticholinesterase activity was observed in most of the different types of tea that were analyzed, with the highest rate of inhibition (30.46%-48.54%) evidenced in the Biofix Tea Wild Strawberry brand. The results of our research show that tea may be used as a rich source of cholinesterase inhibitors which play a significant role in AD treatment.

Effect-Directed Profiling of 17 Different Fortified Plant Extracts by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography Combined with Six Planar Assays and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

“…Further weaker AChE inhibiting zones were detected for valerian ( 8 ), Echinacea ( 10 ), grape pomace ( 15 ) and artichoke ( 17 ). Green tea [ 46 ], lemon balm [ 47 ], rosemary [ 48 ], yerba mate [ 49 ], meadowsweet [ 50 ], artichoke [ 44 ] and grape pomace [ 51 ] were reported to inhibit AChE, which confirms our profiling results. For Eschscholzia , no prominent AChE inhibition was observed for 14 isolated alkaloids [ 52 ]; however, using a simple methanol extraction of the plant-fortified extract in our study, an intense AChE inhibiting zone at hR F 84 (MP 1) and five weaker zones (MP 1/2) were observed.…”

Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Activity of Commercially Important Ceylon Black Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Grades Belonging to Different Elevations: Potential Natural Product for Type 3 Diabetes Management?

“…However, in most of the above stated studies collection of authenticated tea samples (mostly market collected tea samples), sample preparation protocols and sample extraction protocols are different from the present study. Further, none of the studies clearly specified the origin, grade, manufacturing technique, particle size, and elevation of the tea samples used [20][21][22][23] although pharmacological activities and the sensory properties of tea are shown to be varied with the above-mentioned factors [18,[26][27][28][29][30]. Thus, we hope comparison of results of the present study with previously reported studies is not that meaningful and appropriate.…”

“…This disease is characterized by the reduction of neurotransmitter acetylcholine [1][2][3]. Therefore, inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase are used as a prevalent therapeutic approach to enhance acetylcholine levels [4,6,10,34] [20] on AChE inhibitory activity of 14 different instant tea variants including black tea showed that tea as a rich source of cholinesterase inhibitors which may play a significant role in Alzheimer's disease treatment. However, concentrations used in the AChE assay are not clear to compare the activity with other published findings.…”

“…Tea is reported to have range of health benefits including few studies on AChE inhibitory activity world over [15,16,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. However, Ceylon tea including Ceylon black tea is not reported for AChE inhibitory activity to date.…”

“…However, Ceylon tea including Ceylon black tea is not reported for AChE inhibitory activity to date. On the other hand, in most of the studies on health benefits of tea in the world, the origin, grade, nature (blend or factory fresh), manufacturing technique, particle size, and elevation of the tea samples used are not specified [20][21][22][23] although pharmacological potential of tea has shown to be varied with the above-mentioned factors [26][27][28][29][30]. In this study we report AChE inhibitory activity of commercially important and origin, grade, nature, manufacturing technique and particle size known three commercially important Ceylon black tea grades belonging to different elevations.…”