Relationship between the anti-hemolysin activity and the structure of catechins and theaflavins

We examined the corresponding isomers of catechins and theaflavins for anti-hemolysin activities against Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin and Vibrio cholerae O1 hemolysin. Catechins and theaflavins showed anti-hemolysin activities in a dose-dependent manner. Among the catechins tested, (-)catechin gallate, (-)epicatechin gallate and (-)epigallocatechin gallate having galloyl groups in their molecules showed more potent anti-hemolysin activities against both toxins. On the other hand, free catechins, i.e. (-)catechin, (-)gallocatechin, (-)epicatechin and (-)epigallocatechin had low anti-hemolysin activities against α-toxin. Although (-)catechin or (-)gallocatechin had no effect on cholera hemolysin, (-)epicatechin and (-)epigallocatechin were slightly inhibitory. Among dextrocatechins, (+)epicatechin and (+)epigallocatechin proved to be more effective than (+)catechin and (+)gallocatechin. The anti-hemolysin activities of theaflavins against α-toxin and cholera hemolysin were dependent on the number of the galloyl group in their structure. These results suggest that the tertiary structure of the catechin or theaflavin and the active site of hemolysin, that affects the interaction between them, plays an important role in the antihemolysin activity.