Anxiolytic activities of Matcha tea powder, extracts, and fractions in mice: Contribution of dopamine D1 receptor- and serotonin 5-HT1A receptor-mediated mechanisms

• Main Authors: Yuki Kurauchi, Hari Prasad Devkota, Kengo Hori, Yuiko Nishihara, Akinori Hisatsune, Takahiro Seki, Hiroshi Katsuki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-08-01
• Series: Journal of Functional Foods
• Subjects: Anxiety; Dopamine; Serotonin; Matcha; Camellia sinensis
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464619303093

Matcha is thought to be beneficial for brain functions; however, only a few scientific studies have shown the effects of Matcha tea powder on psychiatric behavior. Here, we evaluated the anxiolytic activity of Matcha tea powder, and its hot water extract (CSW) and ethanol extract (CSE) in mice, using the elevated plus maze test. Oral administration of Matcha tea powder and CSE exerted anxiolytic effects. CSE was further fractionated into hexane soluble (CSEH), ethyl acetate soluble (CSEE) and water soluble (CSEW) fractions. Among the fractions, CSEE and CSEH exerted anxiolytic effects. Moreover, SCH23390, a dopamine D1 receptor blocker, and WAY100135, an antagonist of the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine: 5-HT) 1A receptor, prevented Matcha tea powder and CSEE from exerting their anxiolytic effects. These results suggest that Matcha tea powder exerts anxiolytic effect through the activation of the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems.