Effect of Green Tea and Tea Catechin on the Visual Motion Processing for Optokinetic Responses in Mice

In general, catechins contained in green tea are believed to have positive effects on the human body and mental health. The intake of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major polyphenol in green tea, is known to be effective for retinal protection; however, whether green tea and/or EGCG affect visual function remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effect of green tea and EGCG on visual motion processing by measuring optokinetic responses (OKRs) in young adult and aging mice. Young and aging mice (C57BL6/J) were fed a control diet (control) or the test diet, which contained matcha green tea powder or green tea extract (dried sencha green tea infusion), for 1 month, and their OKRs were measured. They were then intraperitoneally administered saline (control) or EGCG, and OKRs were measured. We found that the OKRs of young and aging mice after green tea intake and after EGCG administration showed higher temporal sensitivity than those of control mice. The visual ability to detect moving objects was enhanced in young and aging mice upon intake of green tea or EGCG. From the above results, the visual motion processing for optokinetic responses by ingesting green tea was enhanced, which may be related to the effect of EGCG.