Theacrine, a purine alkaloid derived from Camellia assamica var. kucha, ameliorates impairments in learning and memory caused by restraint-induced central fatigue. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Yi-Fang; Chen, Min; Wang, Chen; Li, Xiao-Xiao; Ouyang, Shu-Hua; He, Chi-Chi; Mao, Zhong-Fu; Tsoi, Bun; Kurihara, Hiroshi; He, Rong-Rong
• Is Part Of: Journal of functional foods. Volume 16(2015)
• Page Start: 472
• Page End: 483
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Theacrine -- Restraint stress -- Central fatigue -- Glucose metabolism -- Phosphodiesterases (PDEs); Functional foods -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2015.05.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-4646

Abstract

Highlights: Theacrine from a Chinese tea improved restraint stress-evoked central fatigue. The anti-fatigue effect of theacrine was related to the regulation of brain glucose metabolism. Theacrine inhibited phosphodiesterase activity in the brain and in vitro . Theacrine could be absorbed into the blood and pass across the blood–brain barrier. Abstract: Camellia assamica var. kucha is a local tea in the Yunnan province of China and people there believe its intake can relieve fatigue and their tiredness. Theacrine, a lesser-known purine alkaloid, was first discovered in this kind of tea. Here, we found that theacrine (15 mg/kg) could be absorbed into the blood and pass across the blood–brain barrier after oral administration. The effect and mechanism of theacrine on central fatigue were examined by employing a restraint stress model in mice. Results of behavioral tests suggested that oral administration of theacrine (5, 10, 15 mg/kg) significantly reversed learning and memory impairment caused by central fatigue. In addition, levels of fatigue-related neurotransmitters in the brains of restraint mice, including 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine as well as their metabolites, were restored by theacrine. Further, we found that the anti-fatigue effect of theacrine was associated with the regulation of brain glucose metabolism and the inhibition of phosphodiesterases.