Applied Sciences
| Open Access |
DOI: Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Effects of Camellia sinensis: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential
Yashvardhan Singh , Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow - 226028, India Aditi Singh , Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow - 226028, IndiaAbstract
Green tea, from Camellia sinensis, is a source of bioactive polyphenols, mainly catechins with antibacterial properties. Various types of catechins include epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC) and epicatechin (EC), among which EGCG is the most abundant and bioactive. This review summarises the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of these catechins against some clinically important Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens.
Catechins have been studied for their broad - spectrum antibacterial property through multiple pathways. For example, they can interfere with DNA and RNA synthesis, block key enzymes in bacterial metabolism and replication, disrupt the bacterial cell membrane, causing loss of intracellular components that are important to maintain bacterial viability.
Studies show that catechins disrupt quorum-sensing systems, which lowers the production of virulence factors, biofilm formation, and bacterial communication. Moreover, catechins cause oxidative stress in bacterial cells by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damages bacterial cells, resulting in cell death.
Polyphenols found in green tea also demonstrate synergistic interactions with conventional antibiotics, enhancing their efficacy against multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. When it comes to addressing antibiotic resistance mechanisms, this synergy is especially intriguing.
Keywords
Camellia sinensis, catechins, ROS, polyphenols, antibacterial, antimicrobial
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