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Article

Anti-Psoriatic Activity of Black, Green and White Tea Extracts from Southeastern China

by
Lanyue Zhang
2,*,
Zeting Huang
1,
Jie Xuan
1,
Lu Yang
1,
Tiantian Zhao
3,4 and
Weihua Peng
1,*
1
Guangzhou Zhongzhuang Meiye Cosmetics Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510006, China
2
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Biorefinery, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
3
Sericulture and Agri-Food Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Functional Foods, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Agricultural Products Processing, Guangzhou 510610, China
4
Department of Food Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Molecules 2024, 29(6), 1279; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29061279
Submission received: 6 February 2024 / Revised: 3 March 2024 / Accepted: 9 March 2024 / Published: 13 March 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Natural Products and Their Biological Activities)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory disease, but most of its current treatments come with a high risk of side effects. As one of the world’s top three beverages, tea has a traditional history of being used as a treatment for skin conditions due to its high safety profile, anti-inflammatory and other properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-psoriasis effects of ethanol extracts of black tea, green tea and white tea from southeastern China. The compositions of the tea extracts (TEs) were first determined by UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap MS and then genetic analysis, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immunocompetence assays were performed. Imiquimod was used to establish a mouse model of psoriasis-like dermatitis and treating with the extracts to examine their efficacy. A total of 88 chemical components, mainly phenols and organic acids, were identified from the TEs. These TEs ameliorated skin damage and they all reduced the expression of cytokines IL-17 and TNF-α. By analyzing the genes, TEs may affect the inflammatory signaling pathway by regulating the metabolic changes. In addition, TEs can significantly scavenge ROS, NO, and inhibit cellular inflammation. In conclusion, this study examined the inhibitory effects of three TEs on psoriasis and their potential as nutritional supplements for the treatment of skin inflammation.

Graphical Abstract

1. Introduction

Psoriasis is a common chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease that affects 2% to 4% of the population, an estimated 12.51 billion people worldwide [1,2]. It seriously affects physical health and quality of life [3]. Approximately 80–90% of clinical psoriasis cases are psoriasis vulgaris (PsV). PsV is characterized by erythematous, well-defined, pruritic plaques covered by silvery scales. It affects the scalp, trunk and extensor surfaces of the extremities [4]. Psoriasis is an IL-17A and IL-23 cytokine-driven autoimmune skin disease mediated by the adaptive and innate immune systems [5]. All current treatments for psoriasis revolve around the use of synthetic drugs, which can lead to serious adverse side effects [6]. In contrast, natural products are becoming widely used in psoriasis treatment because of their limited side effects [7,8,9].
As a member of the natural products, tea has an attractive aroma, good taste and health-promoting effects, which makes it as one of the top three beverages in the world. Tea is an infusion of the leaves of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Ktze. and contains many bioactive components [10,11]. Tea has a variety of pharmacological functions such as anti-allergic, anti-depressant, antioxidant and other abilities [11,12,13]. The tea tree originated in China and is now widely grown in the Southeast Asian region and in Central African countries, with slight variations in the tea produced in different places [14].
The six main types of tea in China include green tea (GT), black tea (BT) and white tea (WT). GT is a partially fermented tea beverage that is prepared when the fresh leaves are processed quickly to prevent “fermentation”. GT inhibits angiogenesis and possesses antibacterial potential [15,16]. Black tea is made by “fermenting” the fresh tea leaves by crushing and drying them before final processing. During the “fermentation” process, some catechins combine to form complex theaflavins and other undefined flavonoids that provide black tea beverages with their unique flavor and color [10]. Polyphenols such as theaflavins and theobromine, as well as catechins, are mainly responsible for the antioxidant effects of black tea as the main components of black tea [17]. White tea has no fermentation stage and the basic process is withering, sun-drying or drying, making it a simple process. It has been shown to have antioxidant and preventive effects against chronic diseases [18,19].
Herein, the ethanol extracts of three teas (green tea, black tea, and white tea) harvested from China were studied. Their main components were determined by the UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap MS method, and their antibacterial effects, and effects on imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis mouse model and cells were investigated to evaluate their mechanism and effects in the treatment of psoriasis and to determine their medicinal potential for inflammatory diseases.

2. Results

2.1. Experimental Result

2.1.1. Chemical Composition of Ethanol Extract of Three Kinds of Tea

The components of the three kinds of tea were roughly the same, but black tea had the biggest difference in composition. Table 1 shows the specific ingredients of the three teas. Ethanol extract of C. sinensis was obtained by final analysis. Among them, the main components of green tea were 1-stearyl glycerol (24.48%), 2,2′-methylene double (4-methyl-6-tert-butyl phenol) (6.88%), stearamide (5.26%), trehalose (5.25%), and erucamide (4.20%). The main components of black tea are caffeine (34.37%), 1-stearyl glycerol (30.98%), 2,2′-methylene double (4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) (6.15%), sineramide (4.63%), and d-(−)-quinic acid (3.48%). The main components of white tea were 1-stearyl glycerol (40.15%), caffeine (17.96%), 2,2′-methylene double (4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) (6.15%), erucamide (5.89%), and bis-(4-ethylbenzylidene) sorbitol (4.58%).

2.1.2. Antibacterial Ability

As can be seen from Figure 1A, Escherichia coli in normal growth state was oval and rod-shaped with full surfaces. The three TEs groups all affected the morphology of Escherichia coli to some extent. GT extract had the greatest impact on the morphology of Escherichia coli, forming a short rod-shape, indicating that the three TEs could affect cell division by affecting the morphology of Escherichia coli, thereby achieving antibacterial effects. As shown in Figure 1B, Staphylococcus aureus in normal growth state is a round cake with smooth and full surface. The three TEs groups all affected the morphology of S. aureus to varying degrees, among which GT extract had the greatest effect on the morphology of S. aureus, indicating that the three TEs could affect the cell division of S. aureus by affecting the morphology of S. aureus. According to the experimental results, GT has the best antibacterial effect. Figure 1C,D show the results of bacteriostatic zone. Table 2 shows that for E. coli, the bacteriostatic effect of three kinds of tea is similar, BT has the best effect, and for S. aureus, BT has the best bacteriostatic effect.

2.1.3. Animal Experiments

Apparent Skin Evaluation and HE Staining

The PASI score is often used to assess the severity of psoriasis. As shown in Figure 2A,B, for the therapeutic effect of modeling mice, WT, GT and Positive groups showed the best significant effect (p < 0.01), while black tea group had good effect (p < 0.05). The histological analysis of the tested skin was shown in Figure 2C,D. The epidermal hyperplasia of the positive group, all tea extract groups and blank group was lower than that of the model group, indicating that the local application of the three TEs could effectively inhibit the epidermal hyperplasia caused by allergic dermatitis. The WT extract group showed better inhibitory effect.

Skin Toluidine Blue Staining

As shown in Figure 3, the number of mast cells in the dermis in the blank group was significantly reduced compared to the model group. In the drug group, the degree of mast cell infiltration in mice treated with extracts of WT and BT was significantly lower than in the model group, and the degree of mast cell infiltration was lowest in the skin tissues of mice treated with WT extract. This suggests that WT extract inhibits psoriasis-induced skin inflammation.

Immunohistochemistry

As shown in Figure 4, compared with model group, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17 in blank group was significantly increased (p < 0.01), and the expression of IL-17 in BT extract group and GT extract group was significantly decreased compared with model group (p < 0.01). The positive group could inhibit the expression of IL-17 (p < 0.05).
As shown in Figure 5, compared with blank group, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in model group was significantly increased (p < 0.01), while that in WT extract group was significantly decreased (p < 0.05).

Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes and Their Expression Levels

Pearson correlation coefficient (R) was selected as the evaluation index of biological repeat correlation in this paper. The closer the absolute value of R is to 1, the stronger the correlation between the two duplicate samples, and this is the key criterion. In Figure 6A, a total of 23,979 co-expressed genes were analyzed, and the most co-expressed genes were found in the BT group and the model group among the treatment groups. This was also demonstrated in Figure 6B, with the highest R2 value of 0.968 for the BT group versus the model group.
Genetic screening standard default differences p < 0.05, | | log 2 FC > 1, the differences between the treatment group and model group expressed genes (DEGs) were compared; the Venn diagram shows each group and the only DGEs. Overall, 2424 differentially expressed DEGs were identified, a total of 28 DEGs. The number of differentially expressed genes in different treatment groups and model groups was statistically significant.
The change in gene expression ratio was shown as the horizontal axis of the volcano map, and the level of gene significance was shown as the vertical axis. The up-regulated differential genes are represented by red dots, the down-regulated differential genes are represented by green dots, and the non-differentially expressed genes are represented by blue dots. As can be seen from Figure 7, the GT group had the most up-regulated and down-regulated genes, and the WT group also had significant down-regulated genes.
The total number of genes detected in differential groupings and the number of significantly up- and down-regulated differential genes are shown by volcano plots. Fold change in gene expression is represented as the volcano plot horizontal axis, and gene significance levels are represented as the vertical axis. Up-regulated differentially expressed genes are represented by red dots, down-regulated differentially expressed genes are represented by green dots, and non-differentially expressed genes are represented by blue dots. As can be seen from Figure 8, the GT group had the most up- and down-regulated genes compared to the model group, and the WT group also had significant down-regulated genes.
As can be seen from Figure 9, the genes significantly expressed in the model group were not significantly expressed in the treatment group, especially in the WT treatment group.

Gene Function Analysis

One of the international standard gene function classification systems is Gene Ontology (GO). GO consists of three components, biological processes, molecular functions and cellular components. As can be seen from Figure 10, GO gene enrichment is mainly manifested in signaling receptor activity (GT group), REDOX process (WT group) and cytoskeleton (BT group). These gene enrichment pathways were abundant and significantly enriched.
In Figure 11 KEGG was seen to be enriched in 20 signaling pathways in each control group, which were mainly related to signaling pathways such as inflammatory response, immune regulation, hormone synthesis and metabolism, and vitamin regulation. The active ingredients of the three tea alcoholic extracts could modulate multiple signaling pathways through a variety of target proteins such as TNF-α, IL-17, FLG, Cytokeratin 17, IL-23, STAT3, FLG, IFN-γ, IL-22, etc., and thus attenuate or inhibit psoriasis. Specifically, compared with the model group the GT and WT groups were enriched in common neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathways, while the BT group was closely associated with signaling pathways such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. The present results will provide a theoretical basis and information foundation for further investigation of the potential inhibitory effects of the three groups of TEs on psoriasis.

2.1.4. Cell Experiment

MTT Experiment Results

As shown in Figure 12, compared with the control group, the cell vitality of the three tea extracts after treatment was almost at the same level, indicating that the three tea extracts were not cytotoxic and could be used for treatment.

ROS Release

As shown in Figure 13, under the influence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), reactive oxygen (ROS) release in macrophages was significantly increased compared with the blank group (p < 0.01), indicating that ROS release in macrophages was significantly increased after LPS induced cell inflammation model. After different extracts were given to co-culture cells, the ROS release of macrophages in all groups was significantly decreased compared with LPS (model group) (p < 0.01), indicating that the extract group in this study can significantly reduce the inflammatory response and intracellular ROS release caused by LPS, and can better resist the inflammatory stimulus caused by LPS.

Determination of NO Release

As shown in Figure 14, after LPS stimulation, the amount of nitric oxide (NO) released by macrophages increased significantly (p < 0.01). The release of NO from macrophages in other groups decreased compared with LPS model group.

Migration Scratch

As shown in Figure 15, compared with the blank group, cell mobility in the model group was significantly increased, indicating that LPS in the model group caused cellular inflammation. Compared with the model group, cell mobility of the three tea extracts was significantly reduced.

Phagocytic Neutral Red Experiment

As shown in Figure 16, when LPS alone stimulated macrophages of mice for 24 h, the phagocytic index of the LPS group was significantly higher than that of the blank group, indicating that LPS stimulation can significantly activate macrophages and improve their phagocytic ability. The phagocytic ability of phagocytic cells was significantly down-regulated in all experimental groups after 24 h treatment with ethanol extracts from other kinds of tea leaves.

ELISA Experiment Results

Analyzing the therapeutic effects of psoriasis at the molecular level is also an important strategy [20]. The effect of these three tea extracts on the expression of six cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IL-22, TGF-β, IFN-γ and FN) associated with this disease was investigated (Figure 17). The alcoholic extracts of Camellia sinensis processed by three different processes can inhibit and reduce the cytokines causing inflammation, and have anti-inflammatory effects. Among them, the alcohol extract of white tea has down-regulation effect on the above six factors, and the inhibition effect is more balanced. Green tea extract showed the worst inhibitory effect on TGF-β and the best inhibitory effect on IL-22 compared with the other two tea extracts. The effect of black tea extract on IL-22 inhibition was worse than that of the other two kinds of tea, and it could play a good inhibitory effect in other aspects.

3. Discussion

By the method of UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap MS, it was found that the components of white tea and green tea were similar, while the components of black tea were quite different. It could be concluded that the differences were caused by the processing technology [21,22,23]. The chemical composition of the extracts often has a great impact on the biological activity of the extracts. As a natural sugar, trehalose is found in high levels in GT and WT extracts (5.25% and 2.74%, respectively) and can inhibit photodamage induced by UVB rays [24]. Caffeine is abundant in the alcoholic extracts of BT and WT (34.37% and 17.96%, respectively) and possesses excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory diseases [25].
There are many people affected by psoriasis globally and natural product teas have been little used and studied in this area [9], especially these three tea extracts (GT, BT and WT) are also proposed for the first time to synthesize and compare the therapeutic effects on psoriasis from multiple perspectives.
Progress in the treatment of psoriasis can be understood by examining the interactions between the immune system and the skin microbiome [26]. Chang et al. demonstrated that Staphylococcus spp. are in high abundance in psoriatic plaques and that S. aureus is a potential contributor to the pathogenesis of psoriasis [27]. Our study found that GT had the best inhibitory effect on S. aureus, with an inhibitory circle diameter of only 1.2 ± 0.69 mm (in Table 2), and disruption of bacterial morphology. Many studies have also demonstrated the link between psoriasis and intestinal flora dysbiosis, which is associated with metabolic, immune and protective functions of the body [28,29]. One study showed significant enrichment of E. coli in psoriasis patients compared to healthy individuals [30]. All three TEs were found to cause changes in bacterial surface morphology, with GT causing the most pronounced growth inhibition of E. coli. Taken together, the results of the bacterial experiments suggest that GT can best regulate the bacterial flora to have therapeutic potential for psoriasis.
The PASI score is often used to reflect the degree of change in the appearance of a skin lesion, with the score positively correlating with the extent of the lesion. It can be visualized that IMQ induced skin indicates visible and obvious scaling. The apparent smoothness and integrity of the skin in the treated group compared to the model group can be clearly seen in Figure 2A. The skin was also significantly smoother and more intact in the model group than in the treated group. In addition, a reduction in the thickness of the skin in the treatment group was seen as measured by HE staining. Mast cells are very important regulators of the development of psoriasis and an increase in infiltrating mast cells exacerbates the development of inflammation [31,32]. We analyzed the effect of TEs on this by toluidine blue staining and found a significant reduction in mast cells in the BT and WT groups compared to the model group.
The IL-17 pathway-mediated immune cascade response plays a key role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, e.g., lowering effector IL-17C expression reduces infiltrating immune cells and thus inhibits skin inflammation [33,34]. In immunohistochemical experiments, we found that the BT and GT groups significantly inhibited IL-17 expression. It has been shown that ingestion of black tea reduces the expression of the inflammatory cytokine IL-17, which may be attributed to the tea polyphenols it contains [35]. Green tea has a long history of therapeutic use for inflammation and its inhibition of IL-17 has been demonstrated [36]. TNF-α contributes to macrophage and neutrophil activity, stimulates the production of other pro-inflammatory cytokines, and induces the synthesis of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation [37]. In a study on the effect of WT on serum of female rats, it was found that white tea significantly reduced the level of TNF-α compared to the control group [38]. We also found that only the WT group statistically significantly inhibited the expression of TNF-α.
Based on the results of the gene level expression data, the total number of genes detected in the differential groups and the number of significantly up- and down-regulated differential genes, the green tea alcohol extract had the most up- and down-regulated genes, and the white tea alcohol extract had significantly down-regulated genes. The clustering heat map showed that white tea alcohol extract had the best therapeutic effect. From the gene function analysis, GO gene enrichment was mainly shown in signaling receptor activity in the green tea group, REDOX process in the white tea group and cytoskeleton in the black tea group. Gene enrichment of common neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathways was closely related to the results of the green and white tea groups. Gene enrichment for cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions and other signaling pathways was closely related to the results of the black tea group.
The macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells can undergo cellular inflammation induced by LPS, and this cell line has been used extensively to study the anti-inflammatory effects of TEs on skin inflammation at the cellular level. Firstly, the cellular safety of all TEs used was known from the MTT results. Oxidative stress may be one of the reasons for the development of psoriasis [39]. ROS have been reported to damage cellular components and its increased production has been linked to the pathogenesis of psoriasis [40]. Leukocytes infiltrated at inflammatory sites produce ROS through oxidative bursts, which can damage skin cells. Nitric oxide is likewise one of the markers of oxidative stress and is strongly expressed in psoriasis [41]. All TEs significantly reduced the release of ROS and NO, in addition to significant cell migration, suggesting a benefit of antioxidants in the treatment of psoriasis.
When psoriasis occurs, overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-22, and IFN-γ leads to hyperproliferation of keratin-forming cells [42]. All TEs groups significantly reduced the expression levels of the six selected cytokines, except for the GT group, which had no significant effect on the expression of TGF-β only. TGF-β is a key mediator in the development of inflammation, and it has been shown that BT extract down-regulates TGF-β signaling [43], the same as our findings. One study showed that GT extract downregulated the expression of IL-1β and IL-6, similar to our results [44]. The release of IL-22 exacerbates the inflammatory status of psoriasis skin [45], and in this study, all TEs significantly reduced their expression.

4. Materials and Methods

4.1. Reagents and Plant Materials

H&E (hematoxylin-eosin) staining, toluidine blue staining, and IHC (immunocytochemistry) kits were from Servicebio (Wuhan, China). The ELISA kits were obtained from Beyotime (Shanghai, China). Tacrolimus cream was purchased from Bausch Health Companies (Quebec, Canada). Imiquimod cream purchased from Zhuhai United Laboratories (Zhuhai, China). Propylene glycol and anhydrous ethanol (superior purity) was obtained from China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation (Beijing, China). Purified water was obtained from Milli-Q Advantage water purifier (Germany Merck Group Co., Ltd., Darmstadt, Germany). Samples of black tea (Keemun, Anhui), green tea (Hangzhou, Zhejiang) and white tea (Fuding, Fujian) were collected from three local tea factories in southeastern China.

4.2. Extraction of Three Alcohol Extracts from Tea

In this experiment, 5 g of dried tea was accurately weighed and crushed, screened for 20 mesh. The maceration method was used for extraction by adding 70% ethanol (as extraction solvent) to the tea leaves in a ratio of 1:30. The extraction time of the tea alcohol extract was 40 min and the extraction temperature was 85 °C. The filtrate was cooled and kept in a volumetric flask. The filtered liquid was transferred to a round bottom flask and evaporated for 30 min at 42–55 °C using a rotary evaporator with controlled air pressure to avoid boiling. A brownish yellow paste extract was obtained. After standing and stratifying, the upper liquid layer was removed and the extract was stored at 4 °C for backup.

4.3. Chemical Composition Analysis of Three Kinds of Tea

The compositional analysis of tea ethanol extracts was performed using the instrumental analytical platform: UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap MS (Thermo, Ultimate 3000LC, Q Exactive HF, sourced from Waltham, MA, USA). Chromatographic column: Zorbax Eclipse C18 (1.8 μm × 2.1 × 100 mm). Chromatographic separation conditions: column temperature 30 °C; The flow rate was 0.3 mL/min, the mobile phase composition was A: water +0.1% formic acid, B: pure acetonitrile, the injection volume was 2 μL, and the temperature of automatic injector was 4 °C. Positive mode: heating temperature 325 °C; Sheath gas flow rate: 45 arb; Auxiliary gas flow rate: 15 arb; Purge gas flow: 1 arb; Electric spray voltage: 3.5 KV; Capillary temperature: 330 °C; S-Lens RF level: 55%. Negative mode: heater temperature 325 °C; Sheath gas flow rate: 45 arb; Auxiliary gas flow rate: 15 arb; Purge gas flow: 1 arb; Electric spray voltage: 3.5 KV; Capillary temperature: 330 °C; S-Lens RF level: 55%. Scanning mode: one-time full scanning (m/z 100~750) and data-dependent secondary mass spectrometry scanning (dd-MS2, TopN = 10); Resolution: 70,000 (primary mass spectrometry) and 17,500 (secondary mass spectrometry). Collision mode: high energy collision dissociation.

4.4. Bacterial Observation and Inhibition Assay

Bacterial morphology was observed using a benchtop scanning electron microscope TM3000 (Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan). Escherichia coli (ATCC25922) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC6538), tested and provided by Guangdong Institute of Microbiology (Guangzhou, China), were selected. Fifty (50) μL of each extract were mixed in bacterial suspensions separately and incubated for 3 h at 30 °C. Another group was added with equal amount of anhydrous ethanol as negative control. At the end of incubation, the bacterial cell pellets were centrifuged and fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution for 2 h, followed by washing with PBS. Dehydrated with gradients of ethanol (30%, 50%, 70%, 90%, 100%), samples were freeze-dried and observed by gold spray.

4.5. Animal Experiments

Thirty SPF (specific pathogen free) KM (Kunming, China) mice (male, 5 weeks old, weighing 34–38 g, purchased from Guangdong Laboratory Animal Center) were kept at 22 °C for 4 days. All animal experimental procedures were approved by the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee of Guangdong University of Technology (approval code: GDUTXS2022007, approval date: 9 March 2022). The mice were randomly divided into six groups: blank group, model group, positive group, BT group, WT group, and GT group. Psoriasis disease modeling was performed in both the model group and positive group, but the positive group was additionally treated with tacrolimus cream. The cream is a topical ointment used for the treatment of dermatitis-like conditions and has been used extensively in animal models of psoriasis [46,47]. During the modeling stage, mice in all groups except the blank group were coated with imiquimod cream (100 mg/pc) once daily on the back skin for 8 consecutive days. The backs of the mice were depilated with surgical clippers over an area of approximately 4 cm × 4 cm. The experiment was divided into an 8-day modeling period and a 3-day dosing period.
After the model was established, the drug was administered once a day. Propylene glycol solution (200 μL/pc) was applied to the dorsal hair removal site in the model and blank groups, and tacrolimus cream (50 mg/pc) was applied to the posterior hair removal site in the positive group. While in the experimental group, the corresponding drug (200 μL/pc) was applied at the dorsal hair removal site, and the mice in each of the above groups were administered once a day for 3 days. On day 9, the back skin of the mice was observed and PASI scores were recorded to assess epidermal damage. PASI symptoms are measured on a scale of 0 to 4, from none to maximum. The cumulative effect of three scores indicates the severity of inflammation. On day 11, the back skin of the mice was photographed to obtain picture data, and the appearance and PASI scores were recorded and weighed. Mice were then executed for cervical dislocation. The dorsal skin tissues (2.0 cm × 0.8 cm) were fixed with paraformaldehyde and frozen for subsequent experiments.

4.6. Histological Observation and Immunohistochemical Analysis

Skin tissues (6 mm) were paraffin-embedded and then stained by H&E to observe the histological changes after extract treatment. After the sections were routinely sectioned, dewaxed in xylene and rehydrated, the sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin solution, and then the staining was observed under a fluorescent microscope (magnification 200 times). The process of toluidine blue staining is similar to the above, except that the staining solution is toluidine blue.
The expression of TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α) and IL-17 (Interleukin-17) in mouse skin tissues was quantified by immunohistochemistry. Tissue sections were incubated with diluted primary antibody (primary antibody dilution ratio of 1:1000) overnight at 4 °C and then incubated with secondary antibody. Biotin-labeled horseradish peroxidase antibody (secondary antibody at a dilution ratio of 1:3000) was placed at 25 °C for 1 h. Staining was observed and controlled under a microscope (magnification of 200×) using the image analysis software image J version 1.8.0 (developed by the National Institutes of Health).

4.7. Differential Gene Screening and Functional Analysis

The groups of genes were screened with the criterion that the RPKM value of the expression level was greater than 1, which was processed by Pareto conversion. The differentially expressed genes limited threshold was determined by constructing the load correlation coefficient value in the PLS-DA model, and differentially expressed genes screening was combined with Students t-test (p < 0.05).
Integration of differential genes obtained between different groups. Differential back-regulated genes were analyzed by DAVID database and online web database STRING for network pharmacology. The analysis of these genes and their functional annotation was performed by clustering using GO and KEGG databases.

4.8. Cytotoxicity Assay

The cytotoxicity of the three extracts was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. Briefly, RAW264.7 cells in the exponential growth phase were collected at a cell density of 2 × 104 cells/mL, and inoculated into 96-well plates. Cell suspensions were incubated with 100 μL of tea extract at a concentration of 1%, and equal amounts of medium were added to the blank (medium) and control (cells + medium) groups. After 24 h incubation, the supernatant was removed and 150 μL of dimethyl sulfoxide was added to each well. The solution was shaken well to dissolve for 15 min. Measure the absorbance at 490 nm using a microplate reader (SpectraFluor®, Tecan, Zurich, Switzerland). Cell viability = (drug group A value − blank well A value)/(control well A value − blank well A value) × 100%, A is the absorbance value. The data were collated and analyzed for cytotoxic effects of the drugs.

4.9. ROS Level Detection

RAW264.7 cells were selected, and cell suspension (2 × 104 cells/mL) was added to each well and incubated for 24 h. After discarding the supernatant, 1 mL of tea extract (1 mg/mL) was added to each well. After 2 h of incubation, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was added to reach a final concentration of 1 μg/mL. A blank group and an LPS model group were set up, respectively. After continuing incubation for 24 h, the supernatant was discarded and DCFH-DA was added. After 30 min, the supernatant was centrifuged and washed with PBS. Rewire, sample and photograph in an automated fluorescent cell counter.

4.10. NO Secretion Detection

RAW264.7 cells were taken and trypsin digestion was performed to adjust the cell concentration. The cell suspension was added to a 96-well cell culture plate and incubated in a CO2 incubator for 12 h. The absorbent medium was 190 μL serum-free medium per well. Six hours later, 10 μL samples were added to each group. Samples were added, shaken and mixed on a microplate shaker and the samples were incubated in a CO2 incubator for 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. The supernatant was collected and NO content was determined by Griss method. The NO secretion rate was calculated as (sample well OD − blank well OD)/(control well A − control well A) × 100%, A is the absorbance value.

4.11. Cell Scratch Test

Inoculate RAW264.7 cells in the wells and mark the back of the vertical well plate with the gun tip the next day so that the scratch intersects the marker line. Clean the cells to remove the scratched cells. After crossing the line, rinse the cells with sterile PBS to remove the scratched cells and make the gaps left visible to the naked eye. Replace fresh medium with serum-free or low-serum (<2%). Cells were incubated in a 37 °C, 5% CO2 incubator. Cells were then removed at the appropriate time and observed under a microscope and photographed for data analysis.

4.12. Neutral Red Uptake Assay

Adjust the concentration of RAW264.7 cells to 2 × 104 cells/mL, add 100 μL of bacterial solution to each well of a 96-well plate for 24 h, then discard the supernatant and three kinds of tea extracts with the lowest cytotoxicity (1% 10 mg/mL) with the MTT method were diluted with basic medium and LBS (30 μg/mL) were diluted with basic medium for LBS group. Media containing 30 μg/mL LPS was added to the LPS group, and the corresponding volume of media was added to the blank group. After 24 h of incubation, the supernatant was discarded, washed with PBS, and 100 μL of neutral red solution at a final concentration of 0.1% was added to each well and incubated for 30 min. Stem cells were aspirated and rinsed with PBS. The amount of cell lysate was 100 μL/well. After pyrolysis in a shaker at room temperature for 15 min, the absorbance was measured at 570 nm and the phagocytosis was calculated.

4.13. Measurement of Skin IL-1, IL-6, IL-22, IFN-γ, TGF-β and FN Levels

Skin tissue cells of mice in each group were collected, cell medium was prepared, and supernatant was taken. IL-1 (interleukin-1), IL-6 (interleukin-6), IL-22 (interleukin-22), IFN-γ (interferon-γ), TGF-β (transforming growth factor), and FN (fibronectin) were measured according to the ELISA kit instructions.

4.14. Statistical Analysis

Data processing and graphing were performed using Graphpad Prism 8.0.2 software. All experimental data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and p < 0.05 was considered as a significant difference in the results.

5. Conclusions

In a mouse model of skin inflammation induced by imiquimod, the anti-psoriasis effect of tea extract was evaluated by measuring its inhibition of several pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-22, FN, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. Histological examination showed that the three groups could effectively eliminate the skin inflammation and cortical hyperplasia caused by imiquimod. Mast cells release a series of allergic mediators through degranulation reaction. All groups can reduce skin inflammation by inhibiting proliferation and infiltration of mast cells and alleviating degranulation phenomenon. IFN-γ can promote transcription, translation and secretion of IL-1, and the three groups can reduce skin inflammatory response by inhibiting IFN-γ-mediated interleukin-immune regulatory pathway. Therefore, these results suggest that all Camellia sinensis extracts can resist skin inflammation induced by imiquimod by inhibiting inflammation, among which white tea extract has better anti-inflammatory ability and has potential as an anti-inflammatory material.

Author Contributions

L.Z.: Writing—original draft, Conceptualization, Methodology; Z.H.: Writing—original draft, Data curation; J.X.: Writing—original draft, Software; L.Y.: Writing—review & editing, Investigation; T.Z.: Writing—review & editing, Conceptualization, Project administration; W.P.: Writing—review & editing, Supervision, Funding acquisition, Project administration. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration, all animal experimental procedures were approved by the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee of Guangdong University of Technology (Approval Code: GDUTXS2022007, Approval Date: 9 March 2022).

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Engineering Center for Comprehensive Utilization of Medicinal Natural Resources in Guangdong Province, China.

Conflicts of Interest

Author Zeting Huang, Jie Xuan, Lu Yang and Weihua Peng was employed by the company Guangzhou Zhongzhuang Meiye Cosmetics Co., Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Molecules 29 01279 g001
Figure 1. Effects of three alcoholic extracts of tea on surface morphological changes of bacteria. (A) Morphological effects of three tea extracts on E. coli. (B) Morphological effects of three tea extracts on S. aureus. (C) Antibacterial effect of three TEs on E. coli. In GT&WT, the upper left is WT, and the lower right is GT. (D) Antibacterial effect of three tea extracts on Staphylococcus aureus. In GT&WT, WT is at the lower left and GT is at the upper right. Scale bar: 500 nm.
Figure 1. Effects of three alcoholic extracts of tea on surface morphological changes of bacteria. (A) Morphological effects of three tea extracts on E. coli. (B) Morphological effects of three tea extracts on S. aureus. (C) Antibacterial effect of three TEs on E. coli. In GT&WT, the upper left is WT, and the lower right is GT. (D) Antibacterial effect of three tea extracts on Staphylococcus aureus. In GT&WT, WT is at the lower left and GT is at the upper right. Scale bar: 500 nm.
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Molecules 29 01279 g002
Figure 2. Apparent skin evaluation and testing of skin HE staining results. (A) Skin repair in modeling mice. (B) Significance analysis of apparent skin assessment. (C) Test skin HE staining results. (D) Significance analysis of test skin HE staining results. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation (n = 3 animals/group). The length of the arrow indicates the skin epidermal thickness. Compared with model group, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. Scale bar: 100 μm.
Figure 2. Apparent skin evaluation and testing of skin HE staining results. (A) Skin repair in modeling mice. (B) Significance analysis of apparent skin assessment. (C) Test skin HE staining results. (D) Significance analysis of test skin HE staining results. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation (n = 3 animals/group). The length of the arrow indicates the skin epidermal thickness. Compared with model group, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. Scale bar: 100 μm.
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Molecules 29 01279 g003
Figure 3. The results of skin toluidine blue staining were tested. (A) Staining results. (B) Significance analysis of toluidine blue staining results. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation (n = 3 animals/group). Arrows indicate the mast cells observed. Compared with model group, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. Scale bar: 100 μm.
Figure 3. The results of skin toluidine blue staining were tested. (A) Staining results. (B) Significance analysis of toluidine blue staining results. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation (n = 3 animals/group). Arrows indicate the mast cells observed. Compared with model group, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. Scale bar: 100 μm.
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Molecules 29 01279 g004
Figure 4. Immunohistochemical results. (A) Immunohistochemical results of IL-17. (B) Significance analysis of immunohistochemical results of IL-17. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation (n = 3 animals/group). Compared with model group, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. Scale bar: 100 μm.
Figure 4. Immunohistochemical results. (A) Immunohistochemical results of IL-17. (B) Significance analysis of immunohistochemical results of IL-17. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation (n = 3 animals/group). Compared with model group, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. Scale bar: 100 μm.
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Molecules 29 01279 g005
Figure 5. Immunohistochemical results. (A) Immunohistochemical results of TNF-α. (B) Significance analysis of TNF-α immunohistochemical results. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation (n = 3 animals/group). Compared with model group, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. Scale bar: 100 μm.
Figure 5. Immunohistochemical results. (A) Immunohistochemical results of TNF-α. (B) Significance analysis of TNF-α immunohistochemical results. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation (n = 3 animals/group). Compared with model group, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. Scale bar: 100 μm.
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Figure 6. (A) Venn diagram of co-expressed genes; (B) sample correlation.
Figure 6. (A) Venn diagram of co-expressed genes; (B) sample correlation.
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Molecules 29 01279 g007
Figure 7. A ternary Venn diagram of three differential groups. All groups are compared with the model group.
Figure 7. A ternary Venn diagram of three differential groups. All groups are compared with the model group.
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Molecules 29 01279 g008
Figure 8. Volcanic maps of (A) model vs. GT, (B) model vs. WT, (C) model vs. BT.
Figure 8. Volcanic maps of (A) model vs. GT, (B) model vs. WT, (C) model vs. BT.
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Molecules 29 01279 g009
Figure 9. Cluster heat map.
Figure 9. Cluster heat map.
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Figure 10. Genetic ontological functions of (A) model vs. GT group, (B) model vs. WT group, and (C) model vs. BT group.
Figure 10. Genetic ontological functions of (A) model vs. GT group, (B) model vs. WT group, and (C) model vs. BT group.
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Molecules 29 01279 g011
Figure 11. KEGG enrichment in (A) model vs. GT group, (B) model vs. WT group, and (C) model vs. BT group.
Figure 11. KEGG enrichment in (A) model vs. GT group, (B) model vs. WT group, and (C) model vs. BT group.
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Molecules 29 01279 g012
Figure 12. Cell viability test of three tea extracts. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation.
Figure 12. Cell viability test of three tea extracts. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation.
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Molecules 29 01279 g013
Figure 13. Effects of extracts on the release of RAW264.7 ROS in macrophages. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation. (A) Photographed cell fluorescence images. (B) Results of optical density measurements. Compared with the LPS group, ** p < 0.01. Scale bar: 200 nm.
Figure 13. Effects of extracts on the release of RAW264.7 ROS in macrophages. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation. (A) Photographed cell fluorescence images. (B) Results of optical density measurements. Compared with the LPS group, ** p < 0.01. Scale bar: 200 nm.
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Molecules 29 01279 g014
Figure 14. Effects of extracts on the release of RAW264.7 NO in macrophages. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation. Compared with the LPS group, ** p < 0.01.
Figure 14. Effects of extracts on the release of RAW264.7 NO in macrophages. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation. Compared with the LPS group, ** p < 0.01.
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Molecules 29 01279 g015
Figure 15. (A) Cell migration and (B) cell mobility of three tea extracts. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation. The red line shows the outline of the scratch. Compared with the LPS group, ** p < 0.01. Scale bar: 200 μm.
Figure 15. (A) Cell migration and (B) cell mobility of three tea extracts. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation. The red line shows the outline of the scratch. Compared with the LPS group, ** p < 0.01. Scale bar: 200 μm.
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Molecules 29 01279 g016
Figure 16. Phagocytosis index of three tea extracts. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation. Compared with the LPS group, *** p < 0.001, **** p < 0.0001.
Figure 16. Phagocytosis index of three tea extracts. Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation. Compared with the LPS group, *** p < 0.001, **** p < 0.0001.
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Molecules 29 01279 g017
Figure 17. Detection of the associated protein factors IL-1 (A), IL-6 (B), IL-22 (C), TGF-β (D), IFN-γ (E), and FN (F). Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation. Compared with the LPS group, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.
Figure 17. Detection of the associated protein factors IL-1 (A), IL-6 (B), IL-22 (C), TGF-β (D), IFN-γ (E), and FN (F). Data plotted as mean ± standard deviation. Compared with the LPS group, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.
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Table 1. Analytical results of the composition of three tea extracts.
Table 1. Analytical results of the composition of three tea extracts.
NO.Identified Compounds IRelative Content% IIMass (m/z)FormulaClassification III
BTGTWT
1Choline1.670.841.28103.09989C5H13NO
2L-Valine0.260.340.34117.07899C5H11NO2a
3Succinic acid0.020.020.03118.02647C4H6O4c
44-Hydroxybenzaldehyde/0.060.02122.0368C7H6O2
5Nicotinamide0.180.150.36122.04798C6H6N2O
65-Hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde0.080.120.08126.03163C6H6O3c
7D-(+)-Pyroglutamic Acid0.460.820.50129.04247C5H7NO3c
8Pipecolic acid0.080.370.07129.07886C6H11NO2c
9L-Norleucine0.180.340.27131.09454C6H13NO2c
10Salicylic acid0.030.050.08138.03149C7H6O3c
11Isophorone0.120.060.12138.10425C9H14O
12L-Glutamic acid0.330.840.44147.05287C5H9NO4a
132,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid0.02/0.02154.02644C7H6O4c
144-tert-Amylphenol0.040.060.05164.11852C11H16Op
15L-Phenylalanine0.070.100.08165.07867C9H11NO2a
16Gallic acid//0.00170.02037C7H6O5c
176,7-Dihydroxycoumarin0.150.020.06178.02626C9H6O4s
18Theobromine0.210.060.03180.06439C7H8N4O2
19Citric acid0.120.080.23192.02703C6H8O7c
20Scopoletin0.01//192.04196C10H8O4
21D-(−)-Quinic acid3.482.683.30192.06323C7H12O6c
22Caffeine34.370.0217.96194.07998C8H10N4O2
23Gluconic acid0.360.080.29196.05806C6H12O7c
24NP-0217970.05//214.1564C12H22O3
25Palmitic acid//0.01256.24022C16H32O2c
26Adenosine0.010.010.02267.09582C10H13N5O4
27Monolaurin0.050.050.08274.21374C15H30O4
28Linoleic acid0.020.010.02280.24019C18H32O2c
29Elaidic acid0.120.100.20282.25582C18H34O2c
30Stearamide3.205.263.24283.28694C18H37NO
31Phenylethyl 2-Glucoside/0.020.01284.12516C14H20O6s
32Kaempferol0.020.020.01286.04693C15H10O6f
33Luteolin0.070.010.01286.04742C15H10O6f
349-Oxo-10(E),12(E)-octadecadienoic acid0.330.140.31294.21877C18H30O3c
35Tridemorph0.200.290.19297.3024C19H39NO
36Morin0.080.100.07302.04181C15H10O7f
37NP-0107760.070.140.02302.04185C15H10O7
38Quercetin0.030.040.01302.04213C15H10O7f
392,3-dihydroxypropyl 12-methyltridecanoate1.601.322.13302.24482C17H34O4
40(−)-Gallocatechin0.022.870.51306.07345C15H14O7p
41Oleoyl ethylamide0.791.160.74309.30232C20H39NO
42(±)9-HpODE//0.01312.23027C18H32O4c
43(±)9(10)-DiHOME0.370.230.53314.24565C18H34O4c
44NP-0089930.080.060.10314.24587C18H34O4
45NP-020139/0.010.01316.07956C13H16O9
46Myricetin/0.050.02318.03673C15H10O8f
475-OxoETE0.210.110.24318.21647C20H30O3c
48Linoleoyl Ethanolamide0.050.060.03323.28161C20H37NO2
49Glabridin0.070.040.08324.1356C20H20O4f
50TOFA1.391.141.72324.22701C19H32O4c
51Corchorifatty acid F0.03/0.01328.22506C18H32O5c
52NP-0021130.030.020.03332.1956C20H28O4
53Bicyclo Prostaglandin E20.090.080.13334.21122C20H30O4c
54Erucamide4.634.205.89337.33354C22H43NO
55NP-0005870.14/0.04338.1C16H18O8c
56Docosanamide0.180.250.21339.34927C22H45NO
57Cyanox 22466.156.886.13340.24028C23H32O2p
58Trehalose0.825.252.74342.11622C12H22O11s
59NP-0217810.030.030.05344.25547C19H36O5c
60Methoxyacetyl fentanyl0.020.010.03352.22175C22H28N2O2
61Monoolein0.610.490.89356.29175C21H40O4
621-Stearoylglycerol30.9824.4840.15358.30741C21H42O4
63PEG n80.120.110.27370.21938C16H34O9
645-(Ethylsulfonyl)-2-[(3S)-1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-pyrrolidinyl]-1,3-benzoxazole0.030.040.03400.14894C21H24N2O4S
65Bis-(4-ethylbenzylidene) sorbitol2.882.794.58414.20329C24H30O6
66AL 8810 Methyl ester0.020.070.07416.24012C25H33FO4
67NP-0207600.010.040.02418.25592C21H38O8
69Isovitexin0.050.030.01432.10491C21H20O10s
70Vitexin0.040.030.01432.10503C21H20O10f
71Afzelin0.01//432.1051C21H20O10s
72Nα-({(3R,4R,5R)-4,5-dihydroxy-3-[(3-pyridinylcarbonyl)amino]-1-cyclohexen-1-yl}carbonyl)-L-tyrosinamide/27.65/440.16493C22H24N4O6
73Astragalin0.130.120.02448.1001C21H20O11f
74Oleanolic acid0.09 0.11456.35933C30H48O3c
75Epigallocatechin gallate0.083.611.07458.08481C22H18O11f
76Isoquercitrin0.220.620.16464.09494C21H20O12s
77Myricetin 3-O-beta-d-galactopyranoside0.040.410.14480.08991C21H20O13s
78PEG n110.060.050.10502.29807C22H46O12
79Methyl (2R,4S,6S,12bR)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-{[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]amino}-1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b-octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizine-6-carboxylate0.060.040.07506.26366C29H35FN4O3
80(3beta,9xi)-3-(beta-d-Glucopyranosyloxy)-14-hydroxycard-20(22)-enolide0.06/0.01536.2954C29H44O9
81PEG n120.040.030.07546.32419C24H50O13
82Vicenin III0.260.170.08564.14715C26H28O14s
83Vitexin rhamnoside0.050.070.05578.16279C27H30O14s
84Vicenin II0.030.020.01594.15772C27H30O15s
85Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside0.080.170.02594.15805C27H30O15s
86Rutin0.150.990.14610.15276C27H30O16s
871,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol0.450.260.59722.51659C38H75O10P
88Grosvenorine0.01//740.21585C33H40O19f
Amino acids0.661.290.85
Carboxylic acids7.686.418.22
Flavonoids0.554.021.29
Phenols6.229.816.69
Sugars1.847.773.42
I Identified chemical compounds according to the data of LC–MS, greater than or equal to 0.01%. Compounds with content greater than or equal to 0.01% were selected. II The content of compounds identified in the ethanolic extract of tea. III Classification of identified compounds. a: amino acids; c: carboxylic acids; f: flavonoids; p: phenols; s: sugars.
Table 2. The antibacterial test was carried out by disk diffusion method.
Table 2. The antibacterial test was carried out by disk diffusion method.
Alcohol Extract of TeaInhibition Zone Diameter (mm)
Gram Negative BacteriaGram Positive Microbes
Escherichia coliStaphylococcus aureus
BT1.9 ± 0.573.0 ± 0.20
WT1.6 ± 0.551.5 ± 0.50
GT1.3 ± 0.811.2 ± 0.69
Negative Control0.9 ± 0.231.1 ± 0.34
The diameter of the suppression zone does not include the diameter of the disc (6 mm). No effective antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria or fungi. Data were mean ± standard deviation of three replicates.
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MDPI and ACS Style

Zhang, L.; Huang, Z.; Xuan, J.; Yang, L.; Zhao, T.; Peng, W. Anti-Psoriatic Activity of Black, Green and White Tea Extracts from Southeastern China. Molecules 2024, 29, 1279. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29061279

AMA Style

Zhang L, Huang Z, Xuan J, Yang L, Zhao T, Peng W. Anti-Psoriatic Activity of Black, Green and White Tea Extracts from Southeastern China. Molecules. 2024; 29(6):1279. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29061279

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhang, Lanyue, Zeting Huang, Jie Xuan, Lu Yang, Tiantian Zhao, and Weihua Peng. 2024. "Anti-Psoriatic Activity of Black, Green and White Tea Extracts from Southeastern China" Molecules 29, no. 6: 1279. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29061279

APA Style

Zhang, L., Huang, Z., Xuan, J., Yang, L., Zhao, T., & Peng, W. (2024). Anti-Psoriatic Activity of Black, Green and White Tea Extracts from Southeastern China. Molecules, 29(6), 1279. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29061279

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