Catechin (Flavan-3-ol · Antioxidant · Cardiovascular)

Compound	Catechin
Chemical class	Polyphenol — Flavan-3-ol ((+)-Catechin)
CAS	154-23-4
Primary source	Camellia sinensis (green tea leaves), Theobroma cacao (cocoa)
Key applications	Antioxidant, cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory
Claim strength	Moderate
Typical form	Green tea extract; catechin isolate

Name origin: From catechu — the extract of Acacia catechu (black cutch) in which catechins were historically characterised. The flavan-3-ol class takes its name from this compound. Traditional use: Green tea (Camellia sinensis) preparations have been consumed across East Asia for over two millennia, with well-documented use for mental alertness, antioxidant support, and cardiovascular health. Catechin is one of the four principal catechins in green tea alongside EGCG, epicatechin, and gallocatechin. Research trajectory: Catechin has a mature evidence base for antioxidant and vascular function; much green tea clinical literature attributes effects to the catechin fraction broadly rather than catechin specifically. Commercial source: Herbuno supplies green tea extract standardised to EGCG (50%) and total polyphenols (95%), which co-deliver catechin alongside the other green tea catechins.

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Evidence for Catechin Applications

Antioxidant capacity: Catechin is a potent radical scavenger with well-characterised DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP activity. The 3′,4′-catechol B-ring is key to electron donation. In vivo, catechin increases plasma antioxidant capacity and reduces oxidative stress biomarkers (8-OHdG, F2-isoprostanes) in human supplementation studies. Claim strength: High.

Cardiovascular and endothelial function: Green tea catechin fractions improve flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and reduce LDL oxidation in human RCTs. Catechin contributes via eNOS activation and LDL catechol-mediated protection. Multiple systematic reviews support cardiovascular benefit from green tea catechin consumption. Claim strength: High (for green tea catechin fraction; catechin-specific attribution moderate).

Anti-inflammatory and metabolic: Catechin inhibits NF-κB and reduces inflammatory markers in cell and animal models. Human data from green tea extract studies show modest reductions in CRP and TNF-α. Relevant for metabolic health and inflammation-management blend formulations. Claim strength: Moderate.

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Dosage & Formulator Specification

Green tea catechin clinical trials typically use 400–800 mg/day total catechins, of which catechin constitutes approximately 5–10% of the catechin fraction. For catechin-specific formulations, a 95% polyphenol green tea extract delivering 50–100 mg catechin/day is a working range based on dose extrapolation.

Specify green tea extract by total catechin content (HPLC) or EGCG content (the primary catechin for most applications). Herbuno’s EGCG 50% extract delivers a defined catechin profile; the 95% polyphenol extract delivers the highest total catechin load per gram.

Catechin is relatively stable in acidic conditions but degrades at alkaline pH and high temperatures. For RTD beverages, pH below 4.0 and antioxidant co-formulation (ascorbic acid) extend catechin shelf life. Avoid metal ion contamination (iron, copper) which catalyse oxidative degradation.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Catechin

What is the difference between catechin and epicatechin?
Catechin (+) and epicatechin (−) are stereoisomers — they differ only in the spatial orientation of the C-3 hydroxyl group. Epicatechin has the 2R,3R configuration; catechin has the 2R,3S configuration. This stereochemical difference affects receptor binding profiles and bioavailability, with epicatechin generally showing better cardiovascular evidence in human studies.

Is catechin or EGCG the more important green tea active?
EGCG is the most studied and abundant catechin in green tea, and most green tea clinical research focuses on EGCG content. Catechin contributes to overall antioxidant capacity but is present at lower concentrations and has a less extensive clinical dataset than EGCG. For most formulations, specifying EGCG content is the appropriate quality marker.

Does catechin from tea differ from catechin in cacao?
Chemically identical. Cacao is a particularly rich source of (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin; green tea contains all four principal catechins plus gallated forms. The relative ratios differ significantly between sources, which affects the overall bioactive profile of the extract.

Is there a risk of liver toxicity from high-dose green tea catechin supplementation?
Concentrated green tea extracts at doses above 800 mg/day total catechins (particularly EGCG) have been associated with rare hepatotoxicity cases, predominantly from weight-loss supplements taken on an empty stomach. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed this risk and advises keeping EGCG intake from supplements below 800 mg/day. Standard antioxidant formulations at 400–600 mg/day total catechins are within accepted safe ranges.

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Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.

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