Green Tea Catechins Decrease Number and Size of UVB-Induced Skin Tumors
Study description:
Hairless mice were injected with DMBA (a
cancer initiator), then divided into two groups. One group had a catechin
solution painted on their skins; the other group was left alone.
After 30 minutes, both groups were exposed to TPA (a tumor promoter.)
Type of study: Animal
What happened:
The mice that had the catechin solution painted on their skins showed a
reduction of 50%-84% in skin tumor promotion.
When the experiment was repeated
using ultraviolet radiation (UVB) as the carcinogen, the group receiving
catechins (either through topical application or their drinking water) developed
significantly fewer skin tumors than the control group (20% fewer with topical
application and 41% fewer with ingestion.) And the tumors that did develop were
smaller.
Researchers' conclusion:
“…that tea components possess antimutagenic
and anticarcinogenic effects, and that they could protect humans against the
risk of cancer by environmental agents.”
Citation:
Mukhtar H, Wang ZY, Katiyar SK, et al. Tea components: antimutagenic and
anticarcinogenic effects. Prev Med 1992;21(3):351-60. (Click here to read PubMed study
abstract.)
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Nadine Taylor, M.S., R.D. presents
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