Para saintis telah menunjukkan buat kali pertama kesan serbuk dan ekstrak teh Matcha dalam mengurangkan kebimbangan dalam model haiwan. Matcha ialah alternatif semula jadi yang selamat untuk melegakan kebimbangan dan meningkatkan mood.
Mood dan kebimbangan disorders are becoming commonplace in our fast-paced and often stressful lives. kebimbangan disorders and fear has been linked to disturbance in dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in our brain. kebimbangan symptoms also increases risk of other medical disorders and affects overall wellbeing of a person. Anxiolytic (or antianxiety) agents like benzodiazepines and serotonin inhibitors are generally used for treatment as they reduce or inhibit kebimbangan. However, they have many side effects, sometimes even adverse, and they also increase dependency. Safer, natural alternative need to be developed for kebimbangan pengurusan.
In Japan, ‘Matcha’ has been used since a long time for different medicinal purposes. Matcha is a finely grounded power of new leaves from tree plant called Camellia sinensis yang dibenarkan tumbuh hanya di bawah naungan. Serbuk matcha digunakan untuk membuat Teh matcha by adding it directly to hot water. It is also used for adding flavour to food. Matcha teh is different from regular green tea in its content mainly because of differences cultivation and processing. Camellia sinensis tumbuhan kaya dengan L-theanine, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), kafein, vitamin dan asid amino dan dengan itu mengambil Matcha memberikan beberapa faedah yang melekat pada bahan bioaktif ini. Ia biasanya digunakan di Jepun untuk penyembuhan, kelonggaran dan juga rawatan keadaan kulit. Walau bagaimanapun, bukti saintifik yang sangat terhad tersedia untuk menyokong tuntutan di atas. Selain itu, kesan serbuk Matcha pada aspek tingkah laku masih belum diterokai sehingga kini.
Satu kajian yang diterbitkan dalam Bahasa Malaysia Jurnal Makanan Fungsian has investigated and demonstrated the effects of Matcha teh powder, hot water extract and ethanol extract for kegelisahan activity in an animal model (here, mice). Researchers conducted an elevated plus maze (EPM) test in healthy animals. EPM involves use of an elevated plus-shaped platform which has two open arms and two closed arms with walls around it. It is a commonly used anxiety test in which animal subjects which are anxious try to stay on the safe area of the plus where they cannot fall off.
The animals were orally administered Matcha powder and extract or fractions dissolved in water. Results showed that the animals who had consumed Matcha had reduced kebimbangan. The strongest effect was seen in Matcha extract derived using 80% ethanol when compared to extract derived from hot water. This meant that poor water-solubility of Matcha has better kegelisahan effect than when it was easily water soluble. The ethanol extract was fractioned further into hexane soluble, ethyl acetate soluble and water-soluble fractions which exhibited similar results. Behavioural analysis showed that Matcha power and extract reduce kebimbangan by activating dopamine D1 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors which are closely linked to anxious behaviour.
The current study conducted on mice demonstrates that Matcha teh powder and extract have a positive calming effect and reduce anxiety by activating dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in the brain. Matcha is a safe and natural alternative for alleviating anxiety.
***
{Anda boleh membaca kertas penyelidikan asal dengan mengklik pautan DOI yang diberikan di bawah dalam senarai sumber yang dipetik}
Sumber (s)
Kurauchi, Y. et al. 2019. Anxiolytic activities of Matcha teh powder, extracts, and fractions in mice: Contribution of dopamine D1 receptor- and serotonin 5-HT1A receptor-mediated mechanisms. Journal of Functional Foods. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2019.05.046
