In vitro inhibitory effects of tea polyphenols on the proliferations of Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae

Abstract

In vitro inhibitory effects of tea polyphenols on Chlamydia trachomatis and C. pneumoniae were investigated. A product of tea polyphenols, Polyphenon 70S was used. Chlamydial strains used were C. trachomatis D/UW-3/Cx and L2/434/Bu, and C. pneumoniae AR-39 and AC-43 strains. HeLa229 cells and HL cells were used for cultivation of C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae, respectively. In the post-inoculation method, no inclusions of C. trachomatis were observed at 0.5 mg/ml of Polyphenon 70S. However, the toxicity of Polyphenon 70S mas noted in HeLa229 cells and HL cells at a concentration of 0.25 mg/ml. In the pre-inoculation method, no toxic effects of Polyphenon 70S on the cells were noted. Complete inhibition of C. trachomatis D and L2 was noted at concentrations of 1.6 and 0.4 mg/ml, respectively. With C. pneumoniae strains, the end points were 0.8 and 1.6 mg/ml for AR-39 and AC-43, respectively. Our findings encouraged the application of tea polyphenols for topical usage.