Antiviral effect of catechins in green tea on influenza virus

Polyphenolic compound catechins ((−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC)) from green tea were evaluated for their ability to inhibit influenza virus replication in cell culture and for potentially direct virucidal effect. Among the test compounds, the EGCG and ECG were found to be potent inhibitors of influenza virus replication in MDCK cell culture and this effect was observed in all...