Catechin, name was apparently derived from the word "catechu," a boiled extract/tannic juice of a Katch tree (Scientific name: Acacia catechu). This tree is called as “Kadira” in Sanskrit, “Khair” in Hindi. Kattha, a main product produced out of bark extract of Acacia catechu contains Catechins & its isomer epicatechin. As per an ancient Indian book, Jyotirnibandha written by Shivraj in AD 1524, Kattha (catechu extract) is a most important ingredient of Tambula (Betel quid) along with areca nut, betel leaf and lime. Apparently, the scientific name of Areca nut (Areca catechu) is derived due to the presence of large amount of catechin in Areca nuts.
Catechin is one of the most abundant and important phenolic compounds found in areca nuts as well. Its concentration in areca nut depends upon the maturity of the areca nut harvested, processing method and the cultivars. The concentration can vary anywhere between 7 mg to 25 mg per gram of dried nuts.
Numerous studies involving cell-lines,
animal models and in silico models have shown that Catechin/ epicatechin is a very
important phytochemical. Its biological action encompasses antibacterial activity,
anti-carcinogenic activity, anti-cataract activity, antifungal activity,
anti-hypercholesterolemic activity, anti-inflammatory effect, anti-oxidative
effect, antiproliferative activity, and antiviral activity. Though most studies
relate their potential to anti-oxidative action and radical scavenging action,
still the mechanism of action is not clearly understood. Recent studies shows
that most of the beneficial functions of catechin/epicatechin is due to their
ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species produced in the body, inhibiting
transcription factors (controlling the expression of various genes in the body),
and inhibition of pro-oxidant enzymes (tend to produce free-radicals in the
body).
More than 18 clinical trials on the human population with different conditions have been carried out so far on the effectiveness of catechin /epicatechin. There is conclusive evidence that catechin / epicatechin are an effective and promising form of treatment of several disease conditions.
Most of the health benefits of Tea
(Black & Green tea) is attributed to catechin/epicatechin & catechin
gallates (gallic acid esters of catechins/epicatechins). Interestingly, areca
nut contains considerable amount of catechins (7-25 mg/g) yet found little attention
in scientific studies & food industries, which is rather surprising.
References
Baranwal et al. (2022). Pharmacological
Actions and Underlying Mechanisms of Catechin: A Review, Mini Reviews in
Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 22 (5), pp. 821-833(13).
