Theanine Improves High-Dose Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate-Induced Lifespan Reduction in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant polyphenol in green tea. Our previous report showed that induced hormesis was a critical determinant for the promotion of a healthy lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans. In the present study, we investigated the anti-aging effects of the main active ingredients in green tea. We found that galloylated catechins (EGCG and epicatechin gallate) could extend the lifespan of C. elegans, while their metabolites (gallic acid, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin) could not. Interestingly, the combination with theanine, not caffeine, could alleviate the adverse effects induced by high-dose EGCG, including the promotion of lifespan and locomotor ability. This was due to the attenuation of the excess production of reactive oxygen species and the activation of DAF-16. These findings will facilitate further studies on the health benefits of tea active components and their interactions.

l-Theanine Inhibits (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Oxidation via Chelating Copper

“…In the present study, serum concentrations of EGCG were only around 4 μM as indicated above, and hepatic quinoprotein levels were significantly increased but not dramatically as seen in the case of HepG2 cells treated with 400 μM EGCG . These results suggest that l -theanine can attenuate potential side effects of EGCG, being consistent with a recent report that l -theanine prevents against high-dose EGCG-induced lifespan reduction and other adverse effects in Caenorhabditis elegans …”

“…32 These results suggest that L-theanine can attenuate potential side effects of EGCG, being consistent with a recent report that L-theanine prevents against high-dose EGCG-induced lifespan reduction and other adverse effects in Caenorhabditis elegans. 34 3.7. L-Theanine Attenuates EGCG Hepatotoxicity.…”

Dietary Supplements and Natural Products: An Update on Their Clinical Effectiveness and Molecular Mechanisms of Action During Accelerated Biological Aging

“…This was because high-dose EGCG accelerated the biological aging process via triggering the nuclear accumulation of DAF-16 (homolog of mammalian fork head box transcription factors class O). Nonetheless, combining high-dose EGCG with theanine reversed high-dose EGCG-induced lifespan reduction in C. elegans ( Peng et al, 2021 ). Considering this current limitation, the characterization of dose-specific responses of EGCG will help us understand how EGCG targets aging-metabolic pathways while also avoiding deleterious effects on health.…”

Acrolein Promotes Aging and Oxidative Stress via the Stress Response Factor DAF-16/FOXO in Caenorhabditis elegans

“…Moreover, genes in C. elegans share a great similarity (60–80%) to human genes, including many homologous genes associated with human disease [ 11 ]. As a consequence, C. elegans is thought to be an outstanding model animal for research on toxicity, due to its predictability of results in higher eukaryotes (e.g., humans and rats) [ 12 ].…”