Immunochemical identification of the mammalian peptide hormone obestatin from tea plant (Camellia sinensis)

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2023 Jan;36(1):199-204.

Abstract

This study determines obestatin-like substances from the young shoots of the tea plant [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze (Theaceae)]. Proteins were extracted from the vegetative tea leaves using the QB (Quick Buffer) buffer as an extraction buffer. Obestatin-like substances in tea extract were investigated using an indirect home-made enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Human obestatin-like immunoreactive substances from tea extract were isolated and characterized by tricine-sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (tricine-SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting techniques. Immunochemical results showed that there are strong human obestatin-like immunoreactive substances (0.048±0.0064ng/mg protein) in vegetative tea leaves. This finding was completely unexpected since this hormone was considered to be present solely in animals. Furthermore, a single obestatin-like immunoreactive protein band of 13kDa was identified by tricine-SDS-PAGE and Western blotting of extract of vegetative tea leaf proteins. Present investigation is the first report of presence of obestatin-like immunoreactive substances in plants. It is concluded that obestatin-like bioactive peptides derived from plants can affect gastrointestinal tract structures as endogenous obestatin does and hence play a role in appetite regulation and body weight gain.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Camellia sinensis* / chemistry
  • Ghrelin / analysis
  • Ghrelin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mammals
  • Plant Extracts / analysis
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / analysis
  • Tea / chemistry

Substances

  • Ghrelin
  • Tea
  • Plant Extracts
  • Plant Proteins