Last updated on November 30th, 2020 at 05:42 pm
Since the Spanish flu infected close to a third of then the global population a century ago, not even the First and Second World War could bring about an enormous tragedy on the human race until the COVID 19 pandemic hit all corners of the Planet Earth. The New Corona Virus cases are already racing towards the 50 Million mark and the death toll exceeding 1.2 Million people with just the Second Wave of the pandemic beginning or if at all spreading all over the world like a wild fire aided by the natural wind. The pearl of the Indian ocean; tropical and mystic island of Sri Lanka is blessed with abundance of rich culture and fertile nature, rain forest, daily direct sunlight of at least 6-7 hours throughout the year, resulting in a conducive climate, soil and weather ideal for growing tea.
Sri Lanka in entirety and the tea industry in particular overcame the First Wave of the COVID 19 during the 2nd Quarter of 2020 with admirable success. The immediate transformation from an “outcry system” to an online electronic Colombo Tea Auction after more than 125 years and the continuation of the total value chain mechanism from the growing, plucking, manufacturing, selling at the weekly auctions, blending and packaging, and finally marketing and exporting branded, packeted or bulk form during the lockdown by re-positioning the tea industry and its export process as an essential service paved away the day for “Ceylon Tea”. Though the tea crop has declined over 10% owing to a number of reasons, the tea prices fetched at the Colombo Tea Auction has in fact appreciated by about 15% up to end of September 2020 vis-a-vis same period of last year from Rs 542 per kilo to Rs 624 per kilo.
Today, the World has reached a crucial milestone where every nation is searching for human immunity boosting methods to counter the Corona Virus infection until an effective vaccination is introduced to the global masses. In that context, drinking warm beverages and inhaling hot vapour is generally believed to be helpful in curbing viral infection. This is where the Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka (TRI) knowingly reviewed the available literature on “Theaflavins in Black Tea” together with the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) and concluded Black Tea may be helpful in controlling and flushing out the viruses. The TRI has released a scientific publication under the topic “Antiviral properties of Tea” where it is noted that drinking Black Tea helps to fight viruses. In a recent study in Taiwan, Theaflavin was selected as the prime candidate for developing an inhibitor for virus, SARS-CoV-2 which is structurally similar to COVID 19. Though it is not proven clinically, many ethno-pharmacological studies have revealed that regular consumption of Black Tea boost immunity leading to prevention of COVID 19. Moreover, an alkaloid found in tea Theophylline, is a proven drug in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases. It contributes to relaxation and opening of bronchial tree or air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe. Besides, the preventive and curative effects of black tea, and/or tea polyphenol, Catechins blended with Theaflavins of tea on influenza virus disease has received an international patent, several studies have demonstrated the potential benefits of tea in controlling influenza and common cold generally caused by influenza viral infections and also tea Catechins have the ability to bind to spikes on the surface of the influenza virus and inhibit viral adsorption onto the host cell surface. In addition, Tea Catechins, ECG and EGCG have been reported to be powerful antagonists of human immune-deficiency virus. It is also revealed that antioxidants and L-Theanine in tea enhance immune system of humans, the antibacterial properties of tea, as well as the vitamins and mineral products therein, synergize the immune system.
The Sri Lanka Tea Board opined that frequent consumption of hot Black Tea (without sugar and milk) and inhaling the tea fumes is supportive of flushing viruses trapped in the throat and nasal area. This reaction helps in improving the immune capacity and inhibiting inflammation due to Catechins and Polyphenols contained in Black Tea.
From the foregoing, it is clear daily tea consumption is well linked to continual boosting or priming one’s innate ability in fighting diseases by assisting and strengthening one’s own immune system. It could be hypothesized through the above literature review on therapeutic effects of tea and its known mechanisms of action on influenza viruses, that RNA viruses including corona family viruses could be relieved by Theophylline in tea while multiplication would be curtailed by Theaflavin, assisting body to boost its own immune system. The fact that Theaflavin has emerged as a promising candidate to inhibit RdRp activity in the SARS-CoV-2 augers well in the search for a therapeutic agent against COVID-19 pandemic though information on antiviral and pharmacological activity of Back Tea against SARS-CoV-2 is yet to establish. In conclusion, it is evidently advisable to have a few cup of tea during the day to boost your own immune system.
In this connection, the Sri Lanka Tea industry stakeholders have moved rapidly towards online meetings, lively discussions and working group sessions with the international clientele through Virtual Platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom conferences. All promotional campaigns for Ceylon Tea for the future are being focused through digital and social media against the backdrop of a pandemic lockdown in many global destinations. Utilizing the power of social media applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, We chat etc. through an identified panel of Influences, Bloggers, Authentic Opinion Makers and a few Celebrities Ceylon Tea clips, videos, messages, electronic banners etc. are to be aired within the Global Campaign. It will be reinforced through Search Engines Marketing availing Google, Yandex, Baidu and other effective digital media as per the respective countries in operation. This strategy is to be combined with other necessary upgrades on the supply chain mechanism.
A joint publication from TRISL and SLTB
Hon. State Minister for Plantations Mr Kanaka Herath visited the Tea Research Institute at Talawakelle, on 17th October 2020. During his visit, he explored the potential for imparting the technologies on tea cultivation and processing to tea stakeholders, with the aim of enhancing their productivity and the profitability. He also visited the St. Coombs Tea Factory and the research laboratories of TRI, to familiarize with the innovations and new technological developments in tea research sector. Participating in the discussion, the State Minister mentioned that he was pleased to visit the world’s second oldest tea research institute and to be able to share the knowledge with veterans and scholars of the tea industry.
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An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)) (1) has been reported in more than 195 countries across 6 continents as of today.
Various attempts have been made across the globe, in search of therapeutic options exploring antiviral agents, to treat patients affected by COVID-19. In a recent study in Taiwan, antiviral activity of traditional Chinese medicinal compounds were screened for SARS-CoV-2 (2) where they screened chemical structures of 64 compounds through a molecular docking study focusing on an important therapeutic target, namely the RNA- dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), an important protease that catalyzes the replication of RNA from RNA template. If that can be blocked, by another molecule, SARS-CoV-2 would not multiply in the epithelial cells of the humans was the logic behind the experiment. Preliminary results suggest that out of the 64 compounds studied, Theaflavin was selected as the prime candidate for developing a SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor targeting RdRp. However, results are yet to be confirmed, in vivo studies before they could be translated into clinical benefits. Theaflavins are antioxidant polyphenols that are formed during enzymatic oxidation process in the manufacture of black tea. In the black tea manufacturing process this is commonly referred to as the "fermentation". It is the black tea which is rich in Theaflavin in contrast to green tea due to the difference in manufacturing process.
Figure 1- Black tea; A source of compounds known as Catechins, Caffeine, Flavonoids etc.
In addition, the other chemicals available in tea viz. catechins, methylxanthines (caffeine, theophylline and theobromine) have shown antiviral activity in previous studies. Here, we wish to highlight on the potential of black tea as a rich source of antiviral compounds, as seen from literature already published elsewhere in this context. The broad-spectrum of antiviral activity of compounds found in Tea against several influenza viruses has been demonstrated in those studies which suggest that tea might be a promising source of antiviral compounds in the prevention and therapeutic aspects against influenza and that group of viruses; however, information on antiviral activity of back tea against SARS-CoV-2 is not clear yet but the fact that Theaflavin has emerged as a promising candidate to inhibit RdRp activity in the SARS-CoV-2 augers well in the search for a therapeutic agent against COVID-19 pandemic. Tea is the cheapest most widely consumed beverage in the world after water. While it has little nutritional value per se, good tea is refreshing, mildly stimulating, gives a feeling of well-being including proven health benefits. Health benefits attributed to tea consumption have been known dating back almost 5000 years since the beginning of this practice in historic times. The major chemical compounds which play a pivotal role in determining the health benefits of tea include catechins, alkaloids (caffeine, theobromine and theophylline), amino acids, volatile compounds, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, inorganic elements and organic acids. Black Tea is particularly rich in polyphenols including six primary catechins compounds namely Catechin(C), Gallocatechin(GC), Epicatechin(EC), Epigallocatechin(EGC), Epicatechin gallate(ECG) and Epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG) and di- and poly-meric catechins viz. Theaflavins (TF) and Thearubigins (TR) respectively. Observational and clinical studies have shown that the chemical constituents in tea play an important role in contributing to overall human health (3,4,5). Many epidemiological studies have shown that regular consumption of tea is associated with lowering, cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, incidence of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The major chemical constituent found in black tea is polyphenols, particularly the flavonoids that have been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-tumour and antiviral activities (3). Alkaloid found in tea is Theophylline, a proven drug in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases. It relaxes and opens bronchial tree or air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe. Tea catechins, ECG and EGCG have been reported to be powerful antagonists of human immune-deficiency virus (5). The preventive and curative effects of black tea, and/or tea polyphenol, catechins blended with Theaflavins of tea on influenza virus disease has received an international patent (6). The above- mentioned active component compounds can deactivate the activities of hem-agglutinin and neuraminidase and can prevent infection of influenza virus to cells. By treating virus or cells with the above-mentioned compounds, the infection-preventive effect is shown. In addition, the effect is not limited as in vaccines because antigenicity is not utilized (6). Several studies have demonstrated the potential benefits of tea in controlling influenza and common cold generally caused by influenza viral infections. Tea catechins have the ability to bind to spikes on the surface of the influenza virus and inhibit viral adsorption onto the host cell surface. Studies show Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) of both black and green tea extracts inhibit infectivity of influenza virus (7, 8). Epidemiological studies conducted in Japan prove that daily intake of green tea reduces the incidence of influenza in adults and elementary school children (9,10). Interestingly, gargling with green tea extracts has been recommended as a preventive measure for influenza in some districts in Japan. The traditional knowledge has been confirmed by scientific studies demonstrating similar effects with black tea (11). Research has shown that antioxidants and L-Theanine in tea enhance immune system of humans, the former binds free radicals negating their effect while the latter primes the response of an immune system element called the gamma-delta T cell. In addition, the antibacterial properties of tea, as well as the vitamins and mineral products therein, synergize the immune system (4). When the immune system is strengthen by such mechanisms, tissue and cell repair are enhanced in such a way that the body regains its innate ability to resist invading microorganisms without succumbing to diseases caused by them From the foregoing it is clear, that daily tea consumption is very well linked to continual boosting or priming one`s innate ability in fighting diseases by assisting and strengthening one`s own immune system. It may be hypothesized through a literature review on therapeutic effects of tea and its known mechanisms of action on influenza viruses, that RNA viruses would be no exception including corona family of viruses which cause respiratory distress which could be relieved by Theophylline in tea while the multiplication would be curtailed by Theaflavin assisting the body to boost its own immune system which will keep microbes at bay. Information on antiviral, pharmacological activity, of back tea against SARS-CoV-2 is not clear yet but the fact that Theaflavin has emerged as a promising candidate to inhibit RdRp activity in the SARS-CoV-2 augers well in the search for a therapeutic agent against COVID-19 pandemic.
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