Epicatechin-3-O-(3″-O-methyl)-gallate content in various tea cultivars (Camellia sinensis L.) and its in vitro inhibitory effect on histamine release.

It has been reported that epigallocatechin-3-O-(3″-O-methyl)-gallate (EGCG3″Me) and the EGCG3″Me-rich green tea ( Camellia sinensis L.) cultivar 'Benifuuki' exhibit antiallergic effects. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of various tea leaf catechins on histamine release from murine bone marrow mast cells (BMMC).