Anti-Herpes Potential of Green Tea Extract
Anti-Herpes Potential of Green Tea Extract
Herpes is globally on the rise and by the age of 50 more than 90% of people have serological evidence of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)-1. HSV-2, the variation of herpes that is spread sexually, is less common and the prevalence ranges on average between 20 and 40%3. Investigations have clearly highlighted the need to get the spread of the Herpes viruses under control, both in the developed and undeveloped worlds.
As of yet, a fully effective vaccine for HSV has not been developed. As a result, effective microbicides are important in preventing the transmission of HSV between individuals. Several studies have indicated the success of a green tea catechin (a phytochemical compound that is believed to have antioxidant properties), Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), as an anti-HSV compound5.
A study by Issacs et al in 2008 demonstrated that EGCG reduced HSV-2 titers (concentrate of a substrate in a solution) by 1000-fold in just 10-20 minutes and reduced HSV-1 titers by the same amount in 30 minutes, in human cell culture. This effect is not demonstrated if the cells are incubated with EGCG for 48 hours prior to infection HSV-15. Analysis with the powerful electron microscope analysis showed that glycoproteins (protein with a carbohydrate component) that are involved in attachment and penetration of HSV's were significantly reduced following EGCG treatment4. Investigating the expression of the key glycoproteins (gB and gD) showed their expression was reduced and instead a larger molecule was detected suggesting that EGCG was binding to the glycoproteins inhibiting their effects. This study indicates that the green tea catechin, EGCG, could inactivate the HSV viruses by binding to essential glycoproteins. EGCG also is stable in the pH range found in the human vagina, making it a promising candidate for use in a microbicides to reduce herpes transmission5.
As discussed, HSV can be transmitted easily through sexual encounters and is stable throughout the general population thanks to often virtually undetectable reactivations and because a fully licensed and effective vaccine is lacking, microbicides are of paramount importance to target the HSV infection in susceptible cells in the reproductive tract. Hopefully this will reduce transmission because, as well as sexual transmission, HSV can be transmitted from mother to child during passage through an infected birth canal5.
The team at Gene Eden believe in the importance of science and only rely on the best scientific research methods and the most up-to-date reliable research, published in only the well respected scientific journals. Thousands of research papers are meta-analysed using a sophisticated bio-informatics program to identify the most effective and safe natural ingredients. The team recommends taking the Gene-Eden supplement; it is a broad spectrum (effective on many viruses), all natural, antiviral supplement that targets viruses during their latent, active or incubation phase. Gene-Eden contains 5 ingredients, including Green Tea Extract that has been shown to be effective as an anti-herpes agent. Green tea extracts are more stable than pure EGCG, one of the major catechins of green tea, because of the presence of other antioxidant constituents in the extract6.
To help prevent infection or transmission of herpes, consider taking the Gene Eden supplement.
For more information, please go to the Gene-Eden website.
References
1.) Whitley, R. J., Roizman, B. (2001) Herpes simplex virus infections The Lancet Vol. 357, No. 9267: 1513-1518
2.) Abu-Raddad, L. J., Magaret, A. S., Celum, C., Wald, A., Longni, I. M., Self, S. G., Corey, L. (2008) Genital Herpes has played a more important role than any other sexually transmitted infection in driving HIV prevalence in Africa PLoS ONE Vol. 3, No. 5: e2230
3.) Van der Plas, H., Hardle, D. (2011) Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2: a therapeutic approach S Afr Pharm J Vol. 78, No. 1: 32-36
4.) Buve, A. (2010) Can we reduce the spread of HIV infection by suppressing the herpes simplex virus type 2 infection? Medicine Reports Vol. 2, No. 4: Published online.
5.) Issacs, C. E., Wen, G. Y., Xu, W., Jia, J. H., Rohan, L., Corbo, C., Di Maggio, V., Jenkins, E. C., Hiller, S. (2008) Epigallocatchin gallate inactivates clinical isolates of herpes simplex virus. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Vol. 52, No. 3: 962-970
6.) Chacko, S. M., Thambi, P. T., Kuttan, R., Nishigaki, I. (2010) Beneficial effects of green tea: A literature review Chinese Medicine Vol. 5, No. 3: Published online
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