K Jafari - Master of Science in Physiology, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sh Gharibzadeh - Assistant Professor, Department of Bioelectrics, School of Medical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
M Faghihi - Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Iran
SM Karimian - Professor, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University Of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
M Hamzehloo - Lecturer, Department of Physical Chemistry, School of Science, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran
M Keshavarz - Associate Professor of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Introduction: In this study, the effects of black tea extract of Iranian tea plant (Camellia sinensis var sinensis) and its polyphenolic pigment thearubigins were investigated on mice intestinal transit time. Method: Thearubigins were isolated by liquid-liquid fraction method. The effects of black tea extract and isolated thearubigins on intestinal propulsion were measured by charcoal propulsion test. Results: According to the obtained results, black tea extract increases intestinal motility and conesquently reduces transit time in a concentration dependent manner (P<۰.۰۱). Thearubigins, also, increase intestinal motility and decrease transit time dose dependently (P<۰.۰۱). Conclusion: Based upon these results, Iranian black tea extract and its major polyphenolic pigment, thearubigins, could be useful in the treatment of some gastrointestinal motility disorders.

Iranian black tea extract, Thearubigins, Mice, Intestinal transit time