Kingston University, London UK recently published a study (1) which looked at a variety of plant extracts and their roles as antioxidants and anti-ageing agents in the body. The scientists from Kingston University tested 21 plant and herbal extracts including: White tea, Green Tea, Burdock root, Anise, Angelica, Lavender, Rose tincture, Pomegranate. White tea came out top of the bunch in all tests, outperforming all of the other herbs and plants that were evaluated (1).
In a press release (2) Professor Declan Naughton, a leading specialist on inflammation in the UK, from the School of Life Sciences at Kingston University in South West London, said the research showed white tea had anti-ageing potential and high levels of anti-oxidants which could prevent cancer and heart disease. “We’ve carried out tests to identify plant extracts that protected the structural proteins of the skin, specifically elastin and collagen,” he explained. “Elastin supports the body’s natural elasticity which helps lungs, arteries, ligaments and skin to function. It also helps body tissue to repair when you suffer wounds and stops skin from sagging.” “Collagen is a protein found in connective tissues in the body and is important for skin, strength and elasticity”, he added.
Results showed white tea prevented the activities of the enzymes which breakdown elastin and collagen, known as collagenase and elastinase. The breakdown of these important skin proteins can lead to wrinkles that accompany ageing. The enzymes are also associated with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Free-radicals, which are normally kept in check by antioxidants, are also associated with inflammatory conditions (many of my other posts have gone into great detail about antioxidants).
Professor Naughton said (2): “These enzymes and oxidants are key components of normal body processes. However, in inflammatory conditions, suppressing the activities of these excess components has been the subject of decades of research. We were surprised to find such high activity for the white tea extracts in all five tests that were conducted.” “We were testing very small amounts far less than you would find in a drink,” “The early indicators are that white tea reduces the risk of inflammation which is characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers as well as wrinkles.”
Other plants and herbs that helped to protect against the breakdown of elastin and collagen, indicating that they may have an anti-aging potential, included extracts of rose, green tea, angelica, anise and pomegranate. These are all readily available as supplements and pomegranate and rose are often used in anti-ageing skin creams.
The plants and herbs that were tested also contained various phenolic compounds (a group of natural plant chemicalss which include the bioflavonoids) – these bioactive plant compounds have received a lot of attention over the last few years for their health giving properties and potential to protect against a variety of diseases. In this study (1) White tea had the highest phenolic content and antioxidant potential. Green tea and rose tincture also showed high antioxidant potential.
Last year I wrote about the effects of UV exposure and aging (Part I, Part II) and how antioxidants as well as other nutrients can help prevent free radical damage to collagen and elastin in the skin. It is important to remember that this was just a preliminary laboratory study and it is unknown whether the plants and herbs tested would have similar effects in the body.
(1) Thring TSA et al. 2009. Anti-collagenase, anti-elastase and anti-oxidant activities of extracts from 21 plants. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 9:27 (4 August 2009)
(2)Press Release: Kingston University. White tea could keep you healthy and young looking http://www.kingston.ac.uk/pressoffice/latestnews/2009/august/10-White-tea-could-keep-you-healthy-and-young-looking/
Written by Ani Kowal
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