Compound in green tea ‘can block rheumatoid arthritis’

Researchers have found that a compound in green tea has the potential to block some of the effects of rheumatoid arthritis.

The phytochemical, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), is a molecule with anti-inflammatory properties with high potential as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis because of how it is able to blocks the effects of the disease without interfering with other cellular functions.

In a preclinical animal model of human rheumatoid arthritis, ankle swelling in animals given EGCG in a ten-day treatment plan was shown to be markedly reduced, suggesting this chemical could be a useful means of treating the disease.

Salah-uddin Ahmed, the lead Washington State University researcher on the project, said: "Existing drugs for rheumatoid arthritis are expensive, immunosuppressive and sometimes unsuitable for long-term use."

The debilitating autoimmune disorder mostly affects the small joints of the hands and feet, and causes painful swelling that often progresses into cartilage damage, bone erosion and joint deformity.