Green tea catechins(GTC) were studied for its inhibitory effect on human platelet aggregation in vitro, for its antithrombotic effect in mice in vivo, and for bleeding and clotting time in rats. The catechins were isolated and purified from green tea, which were composed of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin, (-)-epicatechin gallate and (-)-epicatechin. GTC produced a potent inhibition of human platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner against the stimulants such as ADP, collagen, epinephrine and ristocetin in vitro. GTC also prevented death due to the formation of pulmonary thrombosis by platelet aggregates in mice in a dose-dependent manner in vivo. GTC increased the bleeding time, whole blood clotting time and plasma clotting time in rats, too. These results suggest that GTC is a promising antithrombotic agent.

• 윤여표(충북대학교 약학대학) | Yeo-Py o Yun
• 강원식(충북대학교 약학대학) | Won-Seek Kang
• 이미애(충북대학교 약학대학) | Mi-Yae Lee