PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF TEA SELECTED FROM THREE GROWING REGIONS OF KENYA

Abstract

This study evaluated the phytochemical compounds, antimicrobical activities, antiplasmodium and anti-inflammatory effects of three types of tea; green, orthodox and black Kenyan tea in order to determine their pharmacological value. Tea sampling was done from Kangaita (Green and orthodox tea ), Ngere and Nyankoba (Black tea). Phytochemical screening of the three extracts of tea showed the presence of cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenes and tannins. Green tea lacked anthraquinones, orthodox tea lacked cardenolides and phenolics. The effect of tea on Plasmodium berghei infection in mice and and antimicrobial activity was determined. There was a significant difference in parasitemia and PCV levels (p <0.05) on day 11 between the infected mice given tea extracts (10mg/ml) and the infected control. Tea produced a significant (p <0.01) elevation of parasite,s induced hypoproteinemia as compared to infected control. The in-vitro antimicrobial activities of the three aqueous extracts of tea was done using clinical isolates of S. aureus, S. typhimurium, E. coli, S. faecalis, and, C. albicans by agar well diffusion. The three extracts of tea inhibited S. aureus at concentrations ranging from 100-200mgml-1 with zones of inhibition of 10.0±0.0, 4±0.2, and 6.25±0.0 respectively; green and orthodox tea extracts on E. coli and S. faecalis at 100-400mgml-1. Black tea MIC on C. albicans was 100mgml-1 , on E. coli, at 200-400mgml-1 and a MIC of Green and black tea on S. typhimurium was 200mg\ml. It is evident from the findings of this study that tea; genus Camellia, have important health phytochemicals. If further explored tea phytochemicals may provide alternative therapeutic remedies addressing problems of drug resistance disease management and prevention.