ANTICLOTTING PROPERTIES OF SRI LANKAN LOW GROWN ORTHODOX ORANGE PEKOE GRADE BLACK TEA (CAMELLIA SINENSIS LINN)

Abstract

A previous investigation has shown that, Sri Lankan high grown orthodox broken leaf grade black tea (Dust No.1, Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings and Broken Orange Pekoe) possesses  in vitro blood anticlotting activity. However, anticlotting activity of whole leaf grade black teas is, as yet, unknown although, bioactivity of tea is known to vary with several factors including grade of tea and agroclimatic elevation. The present study evaluates anticlotting activity properties of Sri Lankan low grown orthodox Orange Pekoe (O.P.) grade black tea (whole leaf grade type) both in vitro (using goat blood) and in vivo (using rats). In in vitro study, different concentrations (1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 mg/ml) of black tea brew (BTB) was made using freeze dried sample and calcium induced clotting time was determined       (N=42-64/group). In in vivo studies, different doses of (223, 446 and 1339 mg/kg) doses of BTB was orally administered daily to separate groups of rats (N=6/group) and their clotting time was assessed on days 1(1,2 and 3h post treatment), 8 (1h post treatment) and 16 (1h post treatment) of the treatment. BTB showed strong and long lasting anticlotting activity, up to 24 h with an all or none type of dose relationship in in vitro study. In contrast, a mild anticlotting activity was evident in in vivo study with a curvilinear dose response in the acute study and linear relationship in the subchronic study. It is concluded that, regular consumption of moderately strong Sri Lankan O.P. grade black tea has a potential as dietary therapeutic for the betterment of cardiovascular health.