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Chen S, Kang J, Zhu H, Wang K, Han Z, Wang L, Liu J, Wu Y, He P, Tu Y, Li B. L-Theanine and Immunity: A Review. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28093846. [PMID: 37175254 PMCID: PMC10179891 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
L-theanine (N-ethyl-γ-glutamine) is the main amino acid in tea leaves. It not only contributes to tea flavor but also possesses several health benefits. Compared with its sedative and calming activities, the immunomodulatory effects of L-theanine have received less attention. Clinical and epidemiological studies have shown that L-theanine reduces immunosuppression caused by strenuous exercise and prevents colds and influenza by improving immunity. Numerous cell and animal studies have proven that theanine plays an immunoregulatory role in inflammation, nerve damage, the intestinal tract, and tumors by regulating γδT lymphocyte function, glutathione (GSH) synthesis, and the secretion of cytokines and neurotransmitters. In addition, theanine can be used as an immunomodulator in animal production. This article reviews the research progress of L-theanine on immunoregulation and related mechanisms, as well as its application in poultry and animal husbandry. It is hoped that this work will be beneficial to future related research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuna Chen
- Department of Tea Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jiaxin Kang
- Department of Tea Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Huanqing Zhu
- Department of Tea Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Kaixi Wang
- Department of Tea Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ziyi Han
- Department of Tea Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Leyu Wang
- Department of Tea Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Junsheng Liu
- Department of Tea Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Department of Tea Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Puming He
- Department of Tea Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Youying Tu
- Department of Tea Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Tea Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Lu J, Zhang Y, Qi D, Yan C, Wu B, Huang JH, Yao J, Wu E, Zhang G. An L-theanine derivative targets against SARS-CoV-2 and its Delta and Omicron variants. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09660. [PMID: 35706933 PMCID: PMC9181633 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent research efforts have shown that tea has activities against SARS-CoV-2. However, the active compounds and the action mechanisms are largely unknown. Here we study the inhibitory potential of L-theanine from tea and its semi-synthesized derivative, a small-molecule fluorescent compound, ethyl 6-bromocoumarin-3-carboxylyl L-theanine (TBrC) against infection and replication of SARS-CoV-2 and the underlying mechanisms of action. We reveal that TBrC has potential activities against SARS-CoV-2 in addition to its activity against lung cancer. TBrC showed extracellular inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro/3CL and the host cell receptor ACE2 while interacting with the viral spike glycoproteins (wild-type, Delta, and Omicron mutants). Moreover, TBrC and L-theanine significantly suppressed growth and TNFα-induced nuclear transcriptional activation of NF-κB in human lung cancer cells without affecting the viability of normal lung cells, suggesting a potential protection of TBrC and L-theanine from pulmonary damages in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, especially for lung cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Lu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, 264005, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, 264005, China.,Shandong YingdongYinghao Biotechnology Inc., Yantai, Shandong, 264670, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58105, USA
| | - Dan Qi
- Neuroscience Institute, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, Texas, 76502, USA
| | - Chunyan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, 264005, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital (Laishan branch), Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Benhao Wu
- Shandong YingdongYinghao Biotechnology Inc., Yantai, Shandong, 264670, China
| | - Jason H Huang
- Neuroscience Institute, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, Texas, 76502, USA.,College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Jianwen Yao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, 264005, China
| | - Erxi Wu
- Neuroscience Institute, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, Texas, 76502, USA.,College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.,College of Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.,LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes and Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Guoying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, 264005, China
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Shojaei-Zarghani S, Rafraf M, Yari-Khosroushahi A. Theanine and cancer: A systematic review of the literature. Phytother Res 2021; 35:4782-4794. [PMID: 33891786 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A growing literature indicates several health benefits of theanine, a major nonprotein derivative amino acid special to tea, and a nonedible mushroom. This study aimed to systematically review the scientific evidence regarding the anticarcinogen and anticancer effects of natural theanine. A systematic search for the relevant articles published until January 2021 on MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge was conducted. Out of 377 initial records, 14 in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies met our inclusion criteria. Most of the included in vitro and ex vivo studies reported beneficial effects of theanine on the proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, migration, and invasion in various cancer cell lines. The in vivo studies also supported the potential impacts of theanine on cancer incidence or progression. Theanine exerted its anticancer function by inhibiting EGFR, VEGFR, Met, and Akt/mTOR, JAK2/STAT3, and ERK/NFκB pathways, as well as activating the intrinsic apoptosis pathway and caspase-independent programmed cell death. In conclusion, the results indicated moderate apoptotic, antimetastatic, antimigration, and anti-invasion effects, along with the mild antiproliferative influence of theanine on cancer. Further studies are necessary to ascertain the effectiveness of theanine on the prevention and suppression of cancer and shed light upon the attributable mechanisms in the in vivo condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Shojaei-Zarghani
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Nutrition Research Center, Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Maryam Rafraf
- Nutrition Research Center, Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Yari-Khosroushahi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Shojaei-Zarghani S, Yari Khosroushahi A, Rafraf M. Oncopreventive effects of theanine and theobromine on dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer model. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 134:111140. [PMID: 33360052 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Theanine and theobromine are abundantly present in tea and cocoa, respectively. This study was performed to assess the chemopreventive effects of these phytochemicals, alone or together, on dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon cancer. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups and subcutaneously injected with saline (negative control group) or 30 mg/kg DMH (the other groups) two times/week for 12 weeks. The negative and positive control animals were orally treated with drinking water, and the other groups were gavaged with theanine (400 mg/kg), theobromine (100 mg/kg), or their mixture for two weeks before and throughout the injection period. At the end of the study, the morphological and histopathological features, Ki-67 proliferation marker, and the expression of Akt/mTOR, JAK2/STAT3, MAPK/ERK, and TGF-β/Smad pathways were investigated. Theanine and theobromine, alone or together, reduced the number of cancerous and precancerous lesions, the volume of tumors, the Ki-67 immunostaining, and the expression of Akt/mTOR and JAK2/STAT3 oncogenic pathways. The simultaneous treatment was more effective in the down-regulation of Akt and mTOR compared to either theanine or theobromine alone. Theobromine administration also caused more inhibitory effects on the Ki-67 and Akt/mTOR expression than theanine. Besides, all dietary interventions increased the mRNA and protein expression of Smad2. In conclusion, theanine and theobromine, alone and in combination, inhibited tumorigenesis through down-regulation of the Akt/mTOR and JAK2/STAT3 pathways and an increment of the Smad2 tumor suppressor. The inhibition of the Akt/mTOR pathway was more pronounced by simultaneous treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Shojaei-Zarghani
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Nutrition Research Center, Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Yari Khosroushahi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Maryam Rafraf
- Nutrition Research Center, Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Theanine from tea and its semi-synthetic derivative TBrC suppress human cervical cancer growth and migration by inhibiting EGFR/Met-Akt/NF-κB signaling. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 791:297-307. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 09/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Yokoyama NN, Denmon A, Uchio EM, Jordan M, Mercola D, Zi X. When Anti-Aging Studies Meet Cancer Chemoprevention: Can Anti-Aging Agent Kill Two Birds with One Blow? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 1:420-433. [PMID: 26756023 DOI: 10.1007/s40495-015-0039-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidence has strongly supported that the rate of aging is controlled, at least to some extent, by evolutionarily conserved nutrient sensing pathways (e.g. the insulin/IGF-1-signaling, mTOR, AMPK, and sirtuins) from worms to humans. These pathways are also commonly involved in carcinogenesis and cancer metabolism. Agents (e.g. metformin, resveratrol, and Rhodiola) that target these nutrient sensing pathways often have both anti-aging and anti-cancer efficacy. These agents not only reprogram energy metabolism of malignant cells, but also target normal postmitotic cells by suppressing their conversion into senescent cells, which confers systematic metabolism benefits. These agents are fundamentally different from chemotherapy (e.g. paclitaxel and doxorubicin) or radiation therapy that causes molecular damage (e.g. DNA and protein damages) and thereby no selection resistance may be expected. By reviewing molecular mechanisms of action, epidemiological evidence, experimental data in tumor models, and early clinical study results, this review provides information supporting the promising use of agents with both anti-aging and anti-cancer efficacy for cancer chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko N Yokoyama
- Department of Urology, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA
| | - Andria Denmon
- Department of Urology, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA
| | - Edward M Uchio
- Department of Urology, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA
| | - Mark Jordan
- Department of Urology, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA
| | - Dan Mercola
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA
| | - Xiaolin Zi
- Department of Urology, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA; Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA
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