Marked Reduction in the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of β-Lactams in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Produced by Epicatechin Gallate, an Ingredient of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Sumiko SHIOTA; Masato SHIMIZU; Tohru MIZUSHIMA; Hideyuki ITO; Tsutomu HATANO; Takashi YOSHIDA; Tomofusa TSUCHIYA

doi:10.1248/bpb.22.1388

Sumiko SHIOTA, Masato SHIMIZU, Tohru MIZUSHIMA, Hideyuki ITO, Tsutomu HATANO, Takashi YOSHIDA, Tomofusa TSUCHIYA

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Keywords: epicatechin gallate, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), β-lactam, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) reduction

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1999 Volume 22 Issue 12 Pages 1388-1390

DOI https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.22.1388

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Abstract

We found that epicatechin gallate, a constituent of an extract of tea leaves (green tea) markedly lowered the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of oxacillin and other β-lactams, but not of other antibacterial agents tested, in strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial action of epicatechin gallate plus oxacillin was a bactericidal one.

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