Black and green teas contain potent polyphenol antioxidants that contribute to heart health, boost immunity and reduce inflammation. Skin toxicity is a common side effect of radiation treatment for cancer. Presently, no standard recommendation exists for skin toxicity treatment. Now research reports that tea extracts reduced inflammation in skin damaged by radiation treatment
The study, published in Biomed Central Medicine, investigated the effect of tea extracts on skin toxicity and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Freiburg in Germany analyzed the data of 60 patients undergoing radiation therapy for cancer of the head and neck or pelvic region. The participants were treated three times daily with topically-applied green or black tea extracts.
The researchers found that the tea extracts significantly reduced the duration of skin toxicity. No significant differences were seen in the effectiveness of green or black tea extracts in participants with head and neck cancer. However, green tea had a greater effect than black tea in participants with cancer of the pelvic region. Findings also revealed that the black and green tea extracts blocked inflammatory pathways and protected skin cells from ionizing radiation.
"Tea extracts are an efficient, broadly available treatment option for patients suffering from acute radiation-induced skin toxicity," the study authors conclude. "The molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects are complex, and most likely not exclusively dependent on effects of tea polyphenols such as epigallocatechin-gallate."
REFERENCES:
1. Pajonk F. The effects of tea extracts on proinflammatory signaling. BMC Med 2006 Dec 1;4:28.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on February 11, 2007 03:38 PM
