● Inactivation effect for various influenza viruses

     Professor Masahiko Kurokawa Research Team

Green tea contains a large amount of catechins, and epigallocatechingallate (EGCg), one of the catechins, is known to inhibit the adsorption process to cells during the process of viral proliferation and exhibit antiviral effects.

Therefore, we examined the anti-influenza virus effect of EGCg and its mechanism of action. The anti-influenza virus effect of EGCg was investigated by in vitro plaque reduction method using MDCK (Madin-Darby canine kidney) cells against four types of influenza A and B strains.

As a result, it was confirmed that EGCg inhibited the adsorption or entry process of virus particles into cells for four types of influenza viruses.

● Profile of Professor Masahiko Kurokawa　

Completed doctoral course at Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Research Achievements (Award History)

198104 Received the Miyata Prize (The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan)

198510 Award for Institutional Research Grant, The University of Texas system Cancer

               Center M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston.

199308 Received the Encouragement Award from the Society of Japanese and Chinese

               Medicine

199405 Toyama Award Winner

201404 Kyushu University of Health and Welfare Achievement Evaluation, Best Award

Research content: So far, research on the development of new antiviral drugs from traditional medicines and supplements, analysis of viral infection pathology and host infection immune defense mechanisms, and progress in basic research on viral vectors for application to gene therapy I've been Furthermore, as a research that can contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of QOL, we are using virus-infected animals to verify and analyze the exacerbation of infectious diseases caused by prenatal and neonatal exposure to environmental chemicals and metabolic syndrome. In recent years, by making full use of knowledge and experimental techniques in biochemistry, molecular/cell biology, genetic engineering, bacteriology, virology, immunology, etc., we have elucidated the pathological mechanisms of infectious diseases and lifestyle-related diseases and developed new preventive/therapeutic methods. and risk assessment of environmental chemicals on the host immune system. These researches have built a joint research system with researchers inside and outside the university (universities, research institutes, companies), and by efficiently returning research results to society, they contribute to maintaining and improving the quality of life of the people.

Effect of inactivating the new coronavirus and SARS virus

The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Department of Global Infectious Disease Control, Specially Appointed Professor Yoko AIDA Research Team

As typified by the term “infectious disease panic,” various infectious diseases continue to deal a heavy blow to life, society, and the economy.

Therefore, in modern society, the establishment of means to combat infectious diseases is an important issue, and in recent years, the antiviral effects of various materials have attracted attention, and plant-derived ingredients such as EGCg have been actively researched. 

In this study, we investigated the antiviral effect of EGCg against human coronavirus (HCoV)-229E, which is closely related to SARS-CoV-2 and causes cold symptoms in humans, by 50% Tissue Culture Infectious Dose. (TCID50) was used as an index.

As a result, it was confirmed that EGCg at a low concentration of 10ppm inhibited infection due to the synergistic effect of the direct inactivation effect and the adsorption inhibitory effect.