The hyaluronidase inhibitory effects of teas differing in degree of fermentation were investigated. All of the tea extracts tested showed significant inhibitory effects on hyaluronidase. We have previously reported that these extracts inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells induced by antigen as well as by compound 48/80.
In the present study, it was found that these inhibitory effects appeared to be well Correlated. It SeemS that tea extracts may possess anti-allergic activity.
Futhermore, the results suggested that phenolic compounds such as tannins in the extracts were responsible for the inhibitory effect on hyaluronidase. However, considering that the extracts showed almost the same activity independently of the degree of fermentation of the teas, and some activity still existed after the removal of phenolic compounds, it was thought that other active components in addition to tannins were present.