Comparative study of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of epigallocatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate and epicatechin in vitro

catechin compounds are flavanols substance from various natural plants, and play a significant part in anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-bacteria and protecting the heart and brain organs and other pharmacological effects, and widely found in traditional Chinese medicine, such as Kadsurae Caulis and Reynoutria japonica Houtt. this research was focused on the comparative study of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin, (-)-epicatechin gallate and (-)-epicatechin in vitro . the results indicated that the antioxidant activities of the four catechin compounds improved with the concentration increasing from 0.5 to 32 μg/ml, and the antibacterial activities of four catechins were stronger against the gram-positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus and Arcanobacterium pyogenes ) than the gram-negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli and Salmonella ). Moreover, 12.5, 25 and 50 μmol/l of (-)-epicatechin, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, and 6.25, 12.5 and 25 µmol/L of (-)-epigallocatechin, (-)-epicatechin gallate could reduce the content of NO and phagocytosis. these results laid a foundation for the research and development of natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial drugs in food and pharmaceutical industries.